The death toll from a car-ramming at a German Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg has risen to four, according to German newspaper Bild.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia.
Scores of people were injured in the attack yesterday evening, which came amid fierce debate over security and migration during an election campaign in Europe's largest economy in which the far right is polling strongly.
Police were not immediately available to comment on the reported casualty figures.
Local officials had initially said at least two people were killed and had warned that the toll could rise.
The Bild report said 41 people were critically injured, 86 were receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries and another 78 sustained minor injuries.
German authorities are investigating a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany for almost two decades in connection with the car-ramming. Police searched his home overnight.
The motive remains unclear and police have not yet named the suspect. He has been named in German media as Taleb A.
Taoiseach Simon Harris called it a “shocking and despicable” situation.
“Thinking of and praying for the victims and their families and all those involved in responding to the situation,” Harris wrote on social media, adding:: “Families and friends spending time today this Christmas season at markets when this brutal act took place.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that he is “shocked and appalled by reports of the loss of life and injuries at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg”.
“My thoughts and prayers go to the victims, their families, emergency services and the German people,” he said.
Martin advised any Irish citizens in the area to follow the advice of local authorities.
