Candles lit and a sea of flowers laid by a city in shock

SHOCKED mourners lit candles and laid a sea of flowers and teddy bears at the scene of the German Christmas market terror attack which left five dead - including a nine-year-old boy.

- Tony Whitfield

More than 200 people were injured in Friday night's atrocity that saw a BMW driven at speed into crowds at the festive attraction in Magdeburg.

Last night, 41 of the victims were said to be fighting for their lives in hospital, with Germany's Chancellor, who visited the city yesterday morning, saying they were "so seriously injured that we must be very worried about them".

Saudi national Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, 50, is alleged to have intentionally driven the car into festive shoppers.

A memorial service was held last night in Magdeburg's historic cathedral, after stunned families held an emotional vigil at the church near the market.

A minute's silence was held before football matches in the Bundesliga, and several towns also closed their own Christmas markets as a precaution or in solidarity with the people of Magdeburg.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, interior minister Nancy Faeser and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also joined those affected, their families and emergency workers for the cathedral service.

A separate vigil took place in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, 100 miles to the east.

Mr Scholz visited the tragic scene and said: "There is no place that is happier and more peaceful than a Christmas market.

What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined world leaders in expressing their condolences and said he was "horrified by the atrocious attack".

He added: "My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.