Mourners laid flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack on Monday as investigators puzzled over the motive of the suspect and fears swirled that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society.

Thousands of people in Magdeburg formed a human chain on Monday to remember the victims of the attack on a Christmas market in the central German city, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) held a rival rally.

Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect.