Security worries mar festive season in Germany

DW (English)

The festive season has kicked off in Germany with Christmas markets across the country. But the cheerful atmosphere is partly overshadowed by an attack in which a driver plowed into a market last year.

Transcript

00:01Three things are essential to German Christmas markets.

00:06Christmas tree baubles,

00:11mulled wine

00:15and vehicle barriers to stop cars plowing into the market,

00:19like last year's deadly attack in the city of Magdeburg.

00:24These are mobile vehicle barriers set up by the city of Munich

00:28to block access to the market areas.

00:31They're heavy and if a vehicle were to drive into them,

00:35the weight of these solid posts would cause them to tip backwards,

00:40lifting the car off the ground.

00:44But safety barriers are not the only precaution police are taking

00:48at this Christmas market in the heart of Munich.

00:51There is also heavy surveillance.

00:55Those measures come at a price.

01:01Security costs have more than doubled from last year

01:04at this Christmas market in Munich,

01:06putting a financial strain on market organizers and local authorities.

01:11A police presence is also part of the security concept,

01:15both with uniformed and plainclothes officers.

01:20Their presence is meant to deter pickpockets

01:24and to convey the feeling of safety for visitors and market workers.

01:29We've seen some fences and we've seen a police presence.

01:33I've been walking around with my purse and haven't had any issues.

01:37Anyways, we've had a lovely time.

01:39We noticed the police presence as well and but also taking some precautions,

01:46you know, and not being completely, you know, foolish about it.

01:49I did see those barriers.

01:51And I thought about that because of the cars that can drive through there

01:56and crash into a group of people.

01:58It happened in Atlanta.

01:59It happened in, you know, in the United States multiple times.

02:02So I did appreciate those actually.

02:05Are German Christmas markets safe?

02:07Authorities insist they have done everything in their power

02:10to ensure the safety of tourists and visitors.

02:14They have to strike a balance between fortifying a place like this

02:18and at the same time preserving the unique atmosphere

02:22that makes a Christmas market so special.

02:25Maybe the best way to enjoy the atmosphere is to not think about the safety too much.

02:32A cup of mild wine, the famous Glühwein, definitely helps.

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