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Berlin truck 'terrorist attack': 12 killed in Christmas market crash – live Berlin truck 'terrorist attack': 12 killed in Christmas market crash – live
(35 minutes later)
7.14am GMT
07:14
The US state department issued a warning in November for American travellers in Europe, specifically advising caution during “the upcoming holiday season and associated events”, including markets:
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 …
US citizens should also be alert to the possibility that extremist sympathisers or self-radicalised extremists may conduct attacks during this period with little or no warning. Terrorists may employ a wide variety of tactics, using both conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests.
7.06am GMT
07:06
Vigils will be held today for the 12 people killed in the attack on the Christmas market.
From 11am (10am GMT), members of the public are invited to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church, at the scene of the devastation, to sign a book of condolence.
Archbishop Heiner Koch will lead mass at the Catholic Cathedral of St Hedwig’s in Berlin at midday (11am GMT).
And at 6pm a vigil will take place at the memorial church.
Updated
at 7.11am GMT
6.47am GMT
06:47
A report from Polish business news site money.pl says the firm that owns the truck used in the Berlin attack has been able to glean some information about its movements from satellite tracking.
The report cites an employee saying “someone was turning the vehicle on and off as if they were trying to get it going” before it travelled to the market at Breitscheidplatz.
Łukasz Wąsik, the company’s transport manager, is quoted as saying:
We have no information what is happening with our driver. In the media, its reported that there were two people in the cabin. We only have one person there, who was going to Berlin and was supposed to unload there.
Money.pl reports that Wąsik checked the tracking for the Scania lorry:
At 15.44 someone tried to turn it on. Over the next hour nothing happened. The next attempt to get it started took place at 16.52 and the engine turned over until 17.37. In that time, the vehicle did not move. Apparently there were several more attempts. Then the lorry began moving at 19.34 and moved from Berlin.
It was not being turned on in order to warm the engine and the cabin because the drivers were cold. That uses another system. It looks like someone was trying to learn how to drive this vehicle and had difficulties getting it moving.
Berlin police have said they are investigating the possible theft of the lorry; they have so far not released any details of tracking or the truck’s movements before it arrived at Breitscheidplatz.
6.32am GMT6.32am GMT
06:3206:32
Philippe Pradal, the mayor of Nice, where an attacker mowed down dozens of people with a truck on Bastille Day, killing 86, has tweeted about the apparent similarities between Nice and Berlin.Philippe Pradal, the mayor of Nice, where an attacker mowed down dozens of people with a truck on Bastille Day, killing 86, has tweeted about the apparent similarities between Nice and Berlin.
#Nice06 #Berlin. Même mode opératoire. Même violence aveugle. Même haine des gens heureux. Plus que jamais, combattre l'obscurantisme.#Nice06 #Berlin. Même mode opératoire. Même violence aveugle. Même haine des gens heureux. Plus que jamais, combattre l'obscurantisme.
He says: “Same modus operandi. Same blind violence. Same hatred of happy people. More than ever, fight against obscurantism.”He says: “Same modus operandi. Same blind violence. Same hatred of happy people. More than ever, fight against obscurantism.”
6.19am GMT6.19am GMT
06:1906:19
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
A police press conference is to take place at 1pm local time (noon GMT) on Tuesday at which more details will be given.A police press conference is to take place at 1pm local time (noon GMT) on Tuesday at which more details will be given.
The lorry is due to be transported from the scene to be taken for more forensic tests.The lorry is due to be transported from the scene to be taken for more forensic tests.
The scene of the incident remains one of devastation, still strewn with the remains of collapsed market stalls, broken Christmas decorations, bottles, and the silver sheets used to cover the victims. Police have appealed to bystanders not to take photos of the dead out of respect.The scene of the incident remains one of devastation, still strewn with the remains of collapsed market stalls, broken Christmas decorations, bottles, and the silver sheets used to cover the victims. Police have appealed to bystanders not to take photos of the dead out of respect.
There will be a vigil at 6pm at the memorial church (Gedächtnis Kirche), a popular monument in Berlin known locally as the jagged tooth, close to where the juggernaut came to a halt.There will be a vigil at 6pm at the memorial church (Gedächtnis Kirche), a popular monument in Berlin known locally as the jagged tooth, close to where the juggernaut came to a halt.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.21am GMTat 6.21am GMT
6.07am GMT6.07am GMT
06:0706:07
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
There is a psychological effect in the whole country of the choice of words here, and we want to be very, very cautious and operate close to the actual investigation results, not with speculation.There is a psychological effect in the whole country of the choice of words here, and we want to be very, very cautious and operate close to the actual investigation results, not with speculation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.13am GMTat 6.13am GMT
5.56am GMT5.56am GMT
05:5605:56
No details have yet been released about the identities of the 12 people known to have been killed in Berlin.No details have yet been released about the identities of the 12 people known to have been killed in Berlin.
A man found dead in the truck has been ruled out by police as the driver at the time of the attack. Police say he was a Polish citizen.A man found dead in the truck has been ruled out by police as the driver at the time of the attack. Police say he was a Polish citizen.
The Polish delivery company that owned the vehicle said it lost touch with the driver at 4pm local time after it left the country for Berlin.The Polish delivery company that owned the vehicle said it lost touch with the driver at 4pm local time after it left the country for Berlin.
Owner Ariel Zurawki said he feared the vehicle, driven by his cousin, might have been hijacked. He told the Polish news outlet TVN24: “They must have done something to my driver.”Owner Ariel Zurawki said he feared the vehicle, driven by his cousin, might have been hijacked. He told the Polish news outlet TVN24: “They must have done something to my driver.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.57am GMTat 5.57am GMT
5.41am GMT5.41am GMT
05:4105:41
Berlin police say they will be moving the truck from the Breitscheidplatz to secure the evidence and for forensic testing.Berlin police say they will be moving the truck from the Breitscheidplatz to secure the evidence and for forensic testing.
They ask people not to distribute photos of the move, “out of respect”.They ask people not to distribute photos of the move, “out of respect”.
5.30am GMT5.30am GMT
05:3005:30
Police have now confirmed that they are treating events in Berlin as “presumed terrorism” and are working on the assumption that the truck was “intentionally” driven into the crowd.Police have now confirmed that they are treating events in Berlin as “presumed terrorism” and are working on the assumption that the truck was “intentionally” driven into the crowd.
Thomas de Maizière, Germany’s interior minister, said earlier on Monday night that officials were being cautious in labelling it as a terror attack:Thomas de Maizière, Germany’s interior minister, said earlier on Monday night that officials were being cautious in labelling it as a terror attack:
We are interrogating a suspect. We don’t know anything yet about the background but we won’t rest until this has been totally clarified.We are interrogating a suspect. We don’t know anything yet about the background but we won’t rest until this has been totally clarified.
I don’t want to talk about an attack, though much points to it.I don’t want to talk about an attack, though much points to it.
German Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere: 'We won't rest until this is fully investigated' #Breitscheidplatz #Berlin pic.twitter.com/8EXL1W0DehGerman Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere: 'We won't rest until this is fully investigated' #Breitscheidplatz #Berlin pic.twitter.com/8EXL1W0Deh
5.07am GMT5.07am GMT
05:0705:07
Police: crash was 'presumed terrorist attack'Police: crash was 'presumed terrorist attack'
Berlin police are now calling this a “presumed terrorist attack”:Berlin police are now calling this a “presumed terrorist attack”:
Alle polizeilichen Maßnahmen zu dem vermutlich terroristischen Anschlag am #Breitscheidplatz laufen mit Hochdruck und der nötigen Sorgfalt.Alle polizeilichen Maßnahmen zu dem vermutlich terroristischen Anschlag am #Breitscheidplatz laufen mit Hochdruck und der nötigen Sorgfalt.
4.56am GMT4.56am GMT
04:5604:56
Police: truck 'intentionally' driven into crowdPolice: truck 'intentionally' driven into crowd
Berlin police say their investigation is now working on the assumption that the truck was deliberately driven into the Christmas market:Berlin police say their investigation is now working on the assumption that the truck was deliberately driven into the Christmas market:
Unsere Ermittler gehen davon aus, dass der LKW vorsätzlich in die Menschenmenge auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt am #Breitscheidplatz gesteuert wurdeUnsere Ermittler gehen davon aus, dass der LKW vorsätzlich in die Menschenmenge auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt am #Breitscheidplatz gesteuert wurde
4.42am GMT4.42am GMT
04:4204:42
The mayors of London and Paris have expressed their solidarity with Berlin:The mayors of London and Paris have expressed their solidarity with Berlin:
My thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events in Berlin tonight. London stands with you in solidarity and support.My thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events in Berlin tonight. London stands with you in solidarity and support.
Die Pariser Bevölkerung ist solidarisch mit den Opfern, ihren Familien, und mit ihren Berliner Brüdern und Freunden. #BerlinDie Pariser Bevölkerung ist solidarisch mit den Opfern, ihren Familien, und mit ihren Berliner Brüdern und Freunden. #Berlin
Ce soir, Paris est en deuil aux cotés de #Berlin et de toute l'Allemagne.Ce soir, Paris est en deuil aux cotés de #Berlin et de toute l'Allemagne.
4.28am GMT
04:28
The Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz fell silent as the truck came to a halt, an eyewitness has told Press Association:
Jan Hollitzer, 36, said he heard screams as the vehicle made its way through the stalls, but that the market was “really silent” as “shocked” shoppers looked on at the aftermath.
Hollitzer, deputy editor-in-chief of local news outlet Berliner Morgenpost, said he saw “more than one” person lying underneath the truck.
He was standing between 40 and 50 metres away from the Berlin City Weihnachtsmarkt at Breitschiedplatz when the incident happened.
“First, I heard a noise, then he destroyed the booths on the market and we heard some screams, and then the truck came out of the market on the left side.”
Hollitzer said he walked across the street to the market and saw destroyed stalls, broken glass, crockery and tables, and injured people lying on the ground.
“I moved forward and saw the back of the truck – it was a lorry,” he said.
“There were some people under the truck and it was really scary, really terrifying.
“I moved on the street to see the front of the truck, which was destroyed.”
Hollitzer, who lives in Berlin, said it became “more noisy” as emergency services arrived at the scene and the initial shock of onlookers subsided.
Updated
at 4.32am GMT
4.08am GMT
04:08
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
The man who was found dead in the truck did not control the truck that drove to the Christmas market #Breitscheidplatz
I don’t want to use the word ‘attack’ yet at the moment, although a lot speaks for it.
There is a psychological effect in the whole country of the choice of words here, and we want to be very, very cautious and operate close to the actual investigation results, not with speculation.
Updated
at 4.22am GMT
3.37am GMT
03:37
Some updated information from Berlin police: according to the information so far, the Polish man found dead inside the truck was not the person who drove it into the Christmas market.
Der im LKW tot aufgefundene Mann steuerte nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen nicht den LKW,als der in die Menschenmenge am #Breitscheidplatz fuhr
3.21am GMT
03:21
Berlin police now say the man found dead inside the truck – whom they earlier identified as Polish – was not the driver.
It is not at this stage clear whether they mean that he was not the person who drove the truck into the market, or if they are ruling him out as the original Polish driver.
Edit: this post was edited to remove a tweet deleted by Berlin police. A further tweet clarified that the dead man was not thought to have driven the truck into the market.
Updated
at 3.53am GMT
3.06am GMT
03:06
Timeline
The sequence of events is not yet fully known, but here is what we know so far about the events of Monday and its aftermath:
Monday afternoon
This is when the Polish owner of the lorry said he last heard from his driver. The company’s transport manager, Lukasz Wasik, said the driver was 37 and had been transporting Thyssen steel products from Italy to Berlin.
“The company where he was supposed to unload the products in Berlin was not able to receive them and told him to return on Tuesday morning. They told him to wait in Berlin somewhere,” Wasik told AFP.
Monday 8pm
Around 8 pm (7pm GMT) a truck drove at speed into a busy Christmas market at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz. Twelve people were killed, including a man inside the truck, who police confirmed was Polish. The identities of the other 11 have not been released.
A further 48 people were injured, some severely, and taken to hospital.
Aftermath
A man suspected of being at the wheel of the truck as it ploughed into the market was arrested 2km from the scene after eyewitnesses gave police a description of a person leaving the vehicle after the crash.
He was detained and is being interrogated, police said, but no further details of his identity or the circumstances of the crash have been given by officials.
Tuesday
Police are due to hold a press conference at 1pm on Tuesday (noon GMT).
Updated
at 3.08am GMT
2.48am GMT
02:48
Kate Connolly
Doctors treating patients across Berlin are reporting a high number of fractures and internal injuries, including internal bleeding and damaged organs, among the 48 wounded.
One doctor said operations would be going on through the night, with a number of the injured in a life-threatening state.
Many people are in deep shock, medics said.
2.31am GMT
02:31
Breitscheidplatz is one of Berlin’s busiest shopping areas, particularly at this time of year when Christmas markets are in full swing.
Police said the lorry came from the direction of Budapester Strasse, over the pavement, before coming to a halt by a Christmas tree in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm church.
2.16am GMT
02:16
Philip Oltermann
In the hours after the tragedy, police stated repeatedly that they did not yet know whether it had been a tragic accident or a sinister attack. A group of stallholders on the southern side of the market were convinced they had heard police say the truck’s driver had simply fallen asleep at the wheel. How could anyone want to deliberately crash a truck into such a scene of peace?
But as midnight drew near and more details emerged in the aftermath of the crash – with the person thought to be the driver arrested after reportedly fleeing the scene into nearby Tiergarten – it became harder and harder to avoid seeing a motive behind Monday night’s deadly rampage.
Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, said: “I do not want to use the word the terrorism yet. But many things point in that direction.”
Updated
at 2.38am GMT
1.55am GMT
01:55
Police have so far released no details about the identity of the man arrested.
Police spokesman Winfried Wenzel said the man was being interrogated, after he was picked up by officers about 2km away from the Breitscheidplatz.
The next scheduled police press conference is at 1pm on Tuesday (noon GMT).
1.44am GMT
01:44
Police: dead man in truck is Polish citizen
Berlin police say the person found dead inside the truck is a Polish citizen.
The truck is Polish-registered and the driver – who has not yet been named – was due to be taking a rest-break in Berlin. Colleagues said they had not heard from him since early on Monday afternoon.
#Ermittlungsstand: Bei dem im LKW am #Breitscheidplatz tot aufgefundenen Mann handelt es sich um einen polnischen Staatsbürger.