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Berlin truck crash: 'suspicious person' arrested after nine killed at Christmas market – live Berlin truck crash: 'suspicious person' arrested after nine killed at Christmas market – live
(35 minutes later)
9.56pm GMT
21:56
Here are some photos from the scene:
9.53pm GMT
21:53
Summary
Just a recap of what we know so far:
9.48pm GMT
21:48
My colleague Kate Connolly has noted that the main website of Berlin tourism, Visit Berlin, offers an explanation of how what the Breitscheidtplatz market consists of:
You know it’s the festive season when the area around the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church starts smelling of roasted almonds, hot chocolate and mulled wine. More than 100 booths add a seasonal touch at this traditional Christmas market in the heart of City West.
Located on the festively decorated Breitscheidplatz between Kurfürstendamm and Zoologischer Garten, handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, winter clothing, children’s toys and lovingly crafted accessories are on display and ready to stuff your Christmas stocking.
There are also stands at the Christmas market at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church offering hearty Thuringian bratwurst, sweet waffles, candied fruit and nuts – the whole range of seasonal treats. Mulled wine and homemade eggnog is served in the warmth of the conservatories and pavilions.
The small carousels cause children’s eyes to light up and add a nostalgic charm to the market.
9.45pm GMT
21:45
Kate Connolly
From our Berlin correspondent:
The man was the co-driver/passenger died in an ambulance.
The lorry was registered to a company in Stettin, Poland. It was on its way back to Poland, having started its journey in Italy. It was due to unload in Berlin where the driver was due to have a break.
The head of the company has said the registered driver was his cousin. He’s said he’d put his hand in the fire that his cousin would not have been behind this attack. The strong suspicion is that the vehicle was hijacked at some point during its journey.
9.43pm GMT
21:43
A Berlin photographer and social media news producer, Mischa Heuer, has been tweeting photos of how the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market looked like just one week ago.
The Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz is one of the major tourist attractions in #Berlin. This is what it looked like. pic.twitter.com/raR2P5iwXe
This is Breitscheidplatz a week ago. On the left corner of the photo that's where the truck plowed into the Christmas market. #Berlin pic.twitter.com/PSMWLWPdPh
This is the Breitscheidplatz a week ago. It's one of the most beautiful Berlin Christmas markets and popular among tourists. #Berlin pic.twitter.com/JrMQuvamBS
9.38pm GMT
21:38
The Berlin state interior minister has just noted that the reasons for a truck ramming into a Christmas market and killing nine people is still unclear and it is not known if it was an accident or a deliberate attack.
The Berlin Police have also been tweeting that the background is still unknown and to “not spread rumors.”
In contrast, Facebook is allowing users to check in as safe on a page called “The Attack in Berlin, Germany,” although it’s not yet certain it was an attack.
9.32pm GMT
21:32
Germany’s Justice Minister Heiko Maas tweeted his condolences, and noted that the federal prosecutor will be responsible for the investigation:
“Shocking news from #Breitscheidplatz. We mourn with the families [of the victims]. The federal prosecutor is taking over the case.”
Schockierende Nachrichten vom #Breitscheidplatz. Wir trauern mit den Angehörigen. Der Generalbundesanwalt übernimmt den Fall.
9.22pm GMT9.22pm GMT
21:2221:22
Julian BorgerJulian Borger
This from our World Affairs editor Julian Borger:This from our World Affairs editor Julian Borger:
The attack was reminiscent of the massacre in Nice in July, where a Tunisian-born French resident, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, drove a 19-tonne truck down the city’s Promenade des Anglais into a crowd that had gathered for a Bastille Day firework display, killing 86 and injuring hundreds.The attack was reminiscent of the massacre in Nice in July, where a Tunisian-born French resident, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, drove a 19-tonne truck down the city’s Promenade des Anglais into a crowd that had gathered for a Bastille Day firework display, killing 86 and injuring hundreds.
French authorities said that Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, had been inspired by Isis propaganda, but they say no evidence has been found that Isis orchestrated the attack.French authorities said that Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, had been inspired by Isis propaganda, but they say no evidence has been found that Isis orchestrated the attack.
9.18pm GMT9.18pm GMT
21:1821:18
Berlin police say the passenger in the truck, previously described as a “co-driver,” was the one who died.Berlin police say the passenger in the truck, previously described as a “co-driver,” was the one who died.
Nothing is known about their identity.Nothing is known about their identity.
The passenger of the truck, who drove to the Christmas market at #Breitscheidplatz, died on the spot.The passenger of the truck, who drove to the Christmas market at #Breitscheidplatz, died on the spot.
9.16pm GMT9.16pm GMT
21:1621:16
Stefanie Bolzen, the London correspondent for German publication WELT, points out that Marcus Pretzell, a German politician and member of the European Parliament, has called those who died at the Berlin Christmas market “Merkel’s dead.”Stefanie Bolzen, the London correspondent for German publication WELT, points out that Marcus Pretzell, a German politician and member of the European Parliament, has called those who died at the Berlin Christmas market “Merkel’s dead.”
Pretzell is the regional head of AfD, Alternative for Germany, the hard right-wing party that is anti-immigration.Pretzell is the regional head of AfD, Alternative for Germany, the hard right-wing party that is anti-immigration.
Only minutes after alleged attack: MEP and regional head of AfD Marcus Pretzell calls victims at #Berlin #Breitscheidplatz "Merkel's dead" https://t.co/V3MEnzyabYOnly minutes after alleged attack: MEP and regional head of AfD Marcus Pretzell calls victims at #Berlin #Breitscheidplatz "Merkel's dead" https://t.co/V3MEnzyabY
9.13pm GMT9.13pm GMT
21:1321:13
Berlin police have begun tweeting in English, noting that the “background” of the Christmas market incident is still unclear. Police also highlight that it is unknown if the person arrested was a driver of the truck.Berlin police have begun tweeting in English, noting that the “background” of the Christmas market incident is still unclear. Police also highlight that it is unknown if the person arrested was a driver of the truck.
Police note that the LKA, short for Landeskriminalamt, the state criminal police office, is investigating the incident and that there are “no indications of future dangerous situations” in the city.Police note that the LKA, short for Landeskriminalamt, the state criminal police office, is investigating the incident and that there are “no indications of future dangerous situations” in the city.
The background is still unclear. Our #LKA takes the investigations. #BreitscheidplatzThe background is still unclear. Our #LKA takes the investigations. #Breitscheidplatz
A suspicious person was arrested near #Breitscheidplatz. Whether it is the driver of the truck, is currently under consideration.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.Currently, there are no indications of further dangerous situations in the city near #Breitscheidplatz.
9.11pm GMT9.11pm GMT
21:1121:11
Fran LawtherFran Lawther
The lorry belongs to a Polish haulage company and is registered in Gdansk, according to local media reports. The owner of the company, named only as Ariel Z, gave an interview to Polish radio TVN24 on Monday evening, saying his cousin had been travelling to Berlin in the lorry. He wanted to spend the night in the city, Ariel said, adding he could not imagine his cousin causing the crash as he had had 15 years’ experience driving lorries.The lorry belongs to a Polish haulage company and is registered in Gdansk, according to local media reports. The owner of the company, named only as Ariel Z, gave an interview to Polish radio TVN24 on Monday evening, saying his cousin had been travelling to Berlin in the lorry. He wanted to spend the night in the city, Ariel said, adding he could not imagine his cousin causing the crash as he had had 15 years’ experience driving lorries.
9.10pm GMT9.10pm GMT
21:1021:10
Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly notes that off-duty doctors across Berlin are being brought in to tend to the many injured.Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly notes that off-duty doctors across Berlin are being brought in to tend to the many injured.
9.06pm GMT9.06pm GMT
21:0621:06
Fran LawtherFran Lawther
The German interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, told reporters:The German interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, told reporters:
My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and those injured in this terrible incident. I am in constant contact with the security forces in Berlin and have offered them every possible assistance from the federal police.My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and those injured in this terrible incident. I am in constant contact with the security forces in Berlin and have offered them every possible assistance from the federal police.
9.03pm GMT9.03pm GMT
21:0321:03
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
This in from Berlin correspondent Kate ConnollyThis in from Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly
Police have said the juggernaut which crashed into the Xmas market had Polish number plates and belonged to a Polish delivery company. The company said the truck left Poland this afternoon heading to Berlin and that they lost touch with the driver at 4pm local time. It would appear that the lorry might have been hijacked.Police have said the juggernaut which crashed into the Xmas market had Polish number plates and belonged to a Polish delivery company. The company said the truck left Poland this afternoon heading to Berlin and that they lost touch with the driver at 4pm local time. It would appear that the lorry might have been hijacked.
8.58pm GMT
20:58
Fran Lawther
Berlin’s mayor, Michael Müller, reacted with shock at the attack. He said police had the situation under control, adding: “What we are witnessing here is dramatic. My thoughts are with the families, who are grieving over someone dead or injured.”
8.56pm GMT
20:56
Facebook launched a “safety check” for users in Berlin to “check in” and confirm they are safe, following the Christmas market truck crash.
8.53pm GMT
20:53
Berlin police continued to ask residents to stay away from the area, tweeting:
We need all rescue routes. Please do not come to #Breitscheidplatz. Please keep the streets clear for us. #thank you
Wir brauchen vor Ort alle Rettungswege. Bitte kommen Sie nicht zum #Breitscheidplatz. Bitte halten Sie die Straßen für uns frei. #danke.
8.51pm GMT
20:51
Fran Lawther
Wolfgang Bosbach, an MP with the Christian Democrats, Angela Merkel’s party, told media:
Although there is a host of unanswered questions, indications are it was a deliberate attack, carried out not just with the greatest brutality and disastrous consequences but also with a deliberate symbolism. Just a few days before Christmas, in the middle of the German capital and amidst happy, peaceful people.The message is clear: no matter where, no matter how, we can pounce at any time.
8.47pm GMT
20:47
A co-driver of the truck that plowed into the Berlin Christmas market died during the crash, a police spokesman said on N24 television, according to Reuters.
The other suspected driver was arrested near the scene, the AP reports.
8.44pm GMT
20:44
Police arrest suspected driver
German Police have arrested the suspected driver of the truck that rammed the Christmas market in Berlin, leaving nine dead, according to a police spokesman on N24 television, Reuters reports.
8.38pm GMT
20:38
Berlin police is calling on residents to stay at home and to not “spread rumors” about the truck crash at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market.
The police tweeted:
“Please help us. Stay home and do not spread rumors. Follow us here for important information.”
Bitte helfen Sie uns. Bleiben Sie zu Hause & verbreiten Sie keine Gerüchte. Folgen Sie uns hier für wichtige Infosl. #Breitscheidplatz
It is still unclear if the event was an accident or a deliberate attack.
8.31pm GMT
20:31
The Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, is on the scene.
Truck that burst into side of Christmas market at Breitscheidtplatz, in front of Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church pic.twitter.com/bbXEcrUJAv
8.25pm GMT
20:25
Kate Connolly
From Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent
According to latest news reports in Berlin a lorry plowed into a Christmas market this evening, driving over a pavement and crashing into market stalls and knocking people over. The market is one of Berlin’s most popular, on Breitscheidplatz in the western centre of the city.
Police say the lorry came from the direction of Budapester Straße, over the pavement, coming to a halt by a Christmas tree in front of the Gedächtnis Kirche, or Memorial Church. Known locally as the jagged tooth, the church was bombed in World War II, and left more or less in its ruined state as a memorial to the victims war. It’s one of the most popular tourist sites in Berlin, and very close to the popular Berlin Zoo.
Police have cleared the area and volunteers have set up an information point for relatives looking for news of missing loved ones.
8.25pm GMT
20:25
Nine people have now died and “many” are injured after a truck rammed a Christmas market in Berlin, police have just confirmed.
It’s not immediately clear if the incident was an accident or some kind of terrorist attack.
The market is outside the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Breitscheidplatz, across the road from the Berlin Zoo and in the middle of a retail and hotel district.
The US state department issued a warning in late November for Europe that “credible information” for terror attacks at Christmas related events, including markets, by the Islamic State, al-Qaida and affiliates.
“The Department of State alerts US citizens to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. US citizens should exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets,” it read.
“Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil or Da’esh), al-Qaida, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events,” it continued.
Last year a ban on suitcases and backpacks was implemented in Berlin’s Christmas markets after fears the Yuletide-tradition would become a terrorist target. Germany hosts around 1,500 Christmas markets every year.
We will be updating this post with more information as it comes
Updated
at 8.28pm GMT