The number of people injured in the attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg two weeks ago has risen to 299 from the previously reported 235, the state Interior Ministry said on Friday.

The suspect, originally from Saudi Arabia, shared Islamophobic messages online and criticised German refugee policies.

The violence shocked Germany and the city, prompting several other German towns to cancel their weekend Christmas markets as a precaution, and out of solidarity with Magdeburg’s loss. Berlin kept its markets open but has increased its police presence at them.

Germany's interior minister said on Monday it was still too soon to jump to any conclusions about the man suspected of driving his car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg and killing at least five people.