German police have arrested a driver who drove a car into a Christmas market in the central German city of Magdeburg, killing at least one person and injuring dozens.

The widely circulated Bild newspaper reported that at least 11 people were killed and about 80 injured after the car rammed into the crowd "at least 400 metres away".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement on the X platform that the Christmas market accident "raises the worst fears."

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with you and with the people of Magdeburg. I thank the dedicated rescue workers in these difficult hours," Scholz added.

German media reported, citing police, that there was a suspicion of an explosive device in the car. A spokesman for the Magdeburg government said that the car accident "may have been an attack."

Other local media in Germany reported, citing a local government official, that a car hit a group of people at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.

She added that several people were injured, and there may have been deaths in the incident.

The police said on the X platform that they were "currently" conducting "large-scale" operations in the market, and that "the market is closed." They also said that the conditions of some of the injured were "critical," according to local media.