Berlin Breitscheidplatz: Nine dead and up to 50 injured after truck ploughs into crowds in 'deliberate attack' at Christmas market

Fiona Simpson20 December 2016

Nine people have been killed and many more injured after a lorry ploughed into crowds at Christmas market in Germany.

Police confirmed the deaths and said a passenger in the truck had died "on the spot" as the vehicle careered into wooden stalls.

Up to 50 people were injured in the incident, which police initially said they suspected was carried out deliberately, at the tourist hotspot in Berlin on Monday evening.

However, officers later added that investigations were taking place to establish whether it was an accident or a targeted attack.

It is understood the incident took place at a market outside the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, with images on social media showing the damaged truck and debris.

It is believed hundreds of people would have been making their way towards the market in the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm avenue in the west of the city.

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Briton Emma Rushton, who was in the market, saw the lorry rush past her at speed and said it could not have been an accident.

She told Sky News she only missed being caught in the chaos because she had climbed up some steps to take a seat.

Ms Rushton said: "The stall that we bought our mulled wine from was completely crushed. People were tearing off wooden panels to get out."

She added: "It was not an accident. It was going 40mph, it was in the middle of the market.

"There was no way that it could have come off the road and it showed no signs of slowing down."

Witness Mike Fox, from Birmingham, said that the large truck missed him by just three metres as it drove into the market, tearing through tables and wooden stands.

Nine dead: Police confirmed nine people had been killed in the attack
REUTERS

"It was definitely deliberate," he said.

He told of how he helped people who appeared to have broken limbs, and that others were trapped under Christmas stands.

Jan Hollitzer, deputy editor in chief of Berliner Morgenpost, described "traumatic scenes".

He told CNN: "I heard a big noise and then I moved on the Christmas market and saw much chaos...many injured people."

Nine dead: A fire officer surveys the aftermath of the attack
AP

Julian Reichelt, editor in chief of Bild Berlin, said that there was currently a massive security operation under way.

He added that tourists has been reminded of Bastille Day attacks in Nice when a truck drove into crowds killing 86 people.

Horrific footage posted on social media shows the aftermath of the crash.

German police later said that they had arrested a suspect believed to be the driver of the truck.

Spokesman Winfried Wenzel told ZDF public television that the man was arrested near the scene.

Berlin Police later tweeted: "A suspicious person was arrested near #Breitscheidplatz. Whether it is the driver of the truck, is currently under consideration.

"Currently, there are no indications of further dangerous situations in the city near #Breitscheidplatz."

Julian King, European commissioner for the security union, tweeted: "My thoughts are with all those affected and their families in #Berlin tonight."

This page is being updated.

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