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Heroes of the Christmas market: Johanniter and DRK honored in action!
On October 7th, 2025, the Johanniter in Magdeburg honored their emergency services for their courageous efforts after the Christmas market attack in 2024.
Heroes of the Christmas market: Johanniter and DRK honored in action!
On December 20, 2024, an attack shook the Magdeburg Christmas market. The situation was chaotic, and almost 100 Johanniter emergency services were quickly there to help. Around ten months later, on October 7, 2025, these brave helpers were honored in the Magdeburg State Chancellery. Dr. Tamara Zieschang, the Minister of the Interior and Sport in Saxony-Anhalt, was on site and thanked the Johanniters for their quick and professional action in an extremely challenging situation. “Your commitment was priceless in this confusing situation,” said Zieschang, while the helpers received a specially minted commemorative coin as an award. State Parliament President Dr. Gunnar Schellenberger had to cancel due to illness, but that didn't affect the event.
The Johanniters were also supported by 26 volunteers from the German Red Cross (DRK), who came from various professions, including teachers, caretakers and students. Sascha Paasche, a DRK helper, described the situation as an “emergency” and “worse than expected”. Philipp Barnebeck, also a helper, said the circumstances were intimidating. Together with over 500 other emergency services, including firefighters and emergency chaplains, they worked to care for the injured and bring them to hospitals.
Joint efforts in times of crisis
The DRK and Johannitern emergency services managed to treat all the injured in less than five hours. Thanks to their routine and the exercises they had previously carried out, they were well prepared, even though they admittedly had not had any exercises on such a large scale. Rather, they regularly carried out small exercises with other aid organizations in order to be prepared for emergencies.
The Johanniter, who were among the emergency services on this memorable day, December 20, 2024, needed pastoral care afterwards. After the mission, more than 40 helpers sought support to help them come to terms with what they had experienced. This reality highlights how challenging and emotionally draining frontline work is. The thank you to the helpers was therefore not just a formal gesture, but also a sign of appreciation and respect for the women and men who do their best in such crisis situations and often go beyond their limits.
It is moments like these that bring the willingness and tireless efforts of aid organizations to the fore. Magdeburg not only lost, but also won - through the solidarity and courage of its relief workers.