German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Magdeburg on Thursday, the eastern German city where six other people were killed and many injured when a car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market on December 20.

“I know that your pain tears you apart,” he said, addressing relatives of the victims on the city’s central Alter Markt square. “But I want to tell you: you are not alone in your pain. We stand by your side, we sympathize and mourn with you.”

President Steinmeier thanked the first responders, police officers, firefighters, doctors and volunteers who took action on the day of the attack. He then laid a wreath at the Saint-Jean church and signed the city’s book of condolences.

“As citizens, you are right to expect a thorough investigation and for errors to be publicly reported,” he promised. “Anyone who commits such a crime will have to be brought to justice. “

According to the local police, around 1,200 people gathered at the Alter Markt not only to listen to Steinmeier, but also to participate in the classic “Make a song of peace songs” on the occasion of an important annual occasion for the city of Magdeburg : the anniversary. of the bombing of the city by British planes on January 16, 1945, World War II.

To view this video, please enable JavaScript and upgrade to an Internet browser that supports HTML5 video.

This year, the City of Magdeburg has declared the anniversary as a special day of hope and solidarity.

“Let us be overcome and paralyzed by fear, anger or uncertainty,” Steinmeier said.

“Hatred and violence will not have to have the last word, and I thank all those who say they need Magdeburg to remain a welcoming city, a city that deserves to be enjoyed and lived by all who have discovered a home here. “

In Germany, the federal president is the official head of state and the chancellor is the head of government. The presidency is a necessarily ceremonial role.

mf/rc (dpa, AFP)