This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-crash-christmas-market-live

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
Berlin 'terrorist attack': 12 killed in Christmas market crash – live Berlin Christmas market crash: we must assume it was terror attack, says Merkel – live
(35 minutes later)
10.07am GMT
10:07
Merkel added: “This unspeakable act will be as severely punished as the law will allow.”
Updated
at 10.09am GMT
10.05am GMT
10:05
Merkel says she will visit the scene of the attack after meeting her cabinet.
10.05am GMT
10:05
“We must assume it was a terrorist attack,” Merkel says.
Updated
at 10.09am GMT
10.03am GMT
10:03
Angela Merkel is giving a statement in Berlin. She described the attack as a “terrible deed”, according a translation on Sky News. She said many of the injured were fighting for their lives. Merkel also thanked the emergency services and said she had a “deep trust” in those investigating the attack.
Updated
at 10.10am GMT
9.59am GMT
09:59
Christmas markets will stay closed today in memory of victims of last night’s attack, Germany’s interior ministry has announced.
Die Weihnachtsmärkte in #Berlin sollen heute aus Rücksichtnahme auf die Opfer geschlossen bleiben. Weitere Infos: https://t.co/iAIYPxvvDJ
9.47am GMT
09:47
World leaders, including Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, have continued to express their horror at the attack and pass on their sympathy to the families of the victims.
Pensées aux victimes de #Berlin ainsi qu'à leurs familles. Ons medeleven aan alle slachtoffers, hun families en alle Duitsers. #begov pic.twitter.com/lwqZziAiG6
Putin said: “This crime against peaceful civilians is shocking in its savage cynicism.” He has written to the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and president, Joachim Gauck, according to a statement on the Kremlin’s website.
Condolences to the families & relatives of all those who were killed or injured in #Berlin. We stand united with the victims in deep sorrow. pic.twitter.com/m56QieNqVM
Deepest sympathies to all those affected by the attack in Berlin. Appalling loss of innocent lives in what should be a time of celebration
Our heart goes out to the people of #Berlin and #Germany -JM
Updated
at 9.59am GMT
9.34am GMT9.34am GMT
09:3409:34
Met Police reviewing protection plansMet Police reviewing protection plans
London’s Metropolitan Police says it is reviewing its plans for protecting public events over the Christmas period in light of both the Berlin attack and the assassination in Ankara of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey. London’s Metropolitan police say they are reviewing their plans for protecting public events over the Christmas period in light of both the Berlin attack and the assassination in Ankara of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey.
In a statement it says: “The Metropolitan Police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period. These already recognise that the [terrorist] threat level is at ‘severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely, and have considered a range of threats, including the use of large vehicles. A statement said: “The Metropolitan police has detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period. These already recognise that the [terrorist] threat level is at ‘severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely, and have considered a range of threats, including the use of large vehicles.
“As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara last night.”“As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara last night.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.36am GMT at 10.02am GMT
9.28am GMT9.28am GMT
09:2809:28
There is an unconfirmed report that one of the 12 people killed in the attack was shot and presumed to be a Polish passenger in the Truck. The report, in the German magazine Focus, cites Brandenburg’s interior minister, Karl-Heinz Schröter. There is an unconfirmed report that one of the 12 people killed in the attack was shot, presumed to be the Polish passenger in the truck. The report, in the German magazine Focus, cites Brandenburg’s interior minister, Karl-Heinz Schröter.
+++ Brandenburgs Innenminister teilt mit - Polnischer Beifahrer wurde offenbar erschossen … https://t.co/qDA2NS3QOv pic.twitter.com/haPY3kTkcr+++ Brandenburgs Innenminister teilt mit - Polnischer Beifahrer wurde offenbar erschossen … https://t.co/qDA2NS3QOv pic.twitter.com/haPY3kTkcr
Updated
at 10.04am GMT
9.19am GMT9.19am GMT
09:1909:19
AfD says Germany's Christian tradition is under attackAfD says Germany's Christian tradition is under attack
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
The right-wing populist Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany) has claimed Germany is no longer safe and that its Christian tradition is under attack, writes Kate Connolly.The right-wing populist Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany) has claimed Germany is no longer safe and that its Christian tradition is under attack, writes Kate Connolly.
In a statement Frauke Petry, its main spokeswoman, said: “Terror has now arrived in our midst. The radical Islamic terror has hit us right in the middle of Germany. A lorry weighing several tons was deliberately steered into a crowd of people. Dozens of people looking forward to Christmas and wanting to celebrate have been crushed and some of them very seriously injured. In a statement Frauke Petry, the party’s chair, said:
Terror has now arrived in our midst. The radical Islamic terror has hit us right in the middle of Germany. A lorry weighing several tonnes was deliberately steered into a crowd of people. Dozens of people looking forward to Christmas and wanting to celebrate have been crushed and some of them very seriously injured.
We cannot be under any illusion. The milieu in which such crimes are able to thrive has been imported here systematically over the past one and a half years.We cannot be under any illusion. The milieu in which such crimes are able to thrive has been imported here systematically over the past one and a half years.
This incident is not singular and will happen again. We only need to look to France to know that. The Christmas market was not an accidental target. It is not only an attack on our freedom and our way of life, but on our Christian tradition. Germany is a country which is divided over the immigration question. But the terror will bring us together. These terrorists are godless people. This incident is not singular and will happen again. We only need to look to France to know that. The Christmas market was not an accidental target. It is not only an attack on our freedom and our way of life but on our Christian tradition. Germany is a country which is divided over the immigration question. But the terror will bring us together. These terrorists are godless people.
Petry goes on to say she wants Germany’s borders to be controlled again, without any exception. She added that “mosques in which jihad is preached, have to be closed ... All Muslims who call our country their homeland will welcome such steps. Petry added that she wants Germany’s borders to be controlled again, without exception. She added that “mosques in which jihad is preached have to be closed ... All Muslims who call our country their homeland will welcome such steps.
“Germany is no longer safe. It is the duty of the German chancellor to communicate this...But I tell you, she won’t do this.” “Germany is no longer safe. It is the duty of the German chancellor to communicate this … But I tell you, she won’t do this.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.24am GMT at 9.58am GMT
9.10am GMT9.10am GMT
09:1009:10
There is an unconfirmed report in the German tabloid Bild, that the suspect truck attacker was a 23-year-old from Pakistan named Naved B. There is an unconfirmed report in the German tabloid Bild that the suspected attacker was a 23-year-old from Pakistan named Naved B.
Bild said that the man arrived in Germany around a year ago. Bild said the man arrived in Germany about a year ago.
Updated
at 9.58am GMT
9.02am GMT9.02am GMT
09:0209:02
Merkel to give a statementMerkel to give a statement
German chancellor Angela Merkel is due to make a statement about the attack at 11am (10.00 GMT) according to reports. German chancellor Angela Merkel is due to make a statement about the attack at 11am (1000 GMT) according to reports.
Chancellor #Merkel will give a statement at 11:00 today following the #TruckAttack in #Berlin.Chancellor #Merkel will give a statement at 11:00 today following the #TruckAttack in #Berlin.
#Merkel sagt Wahlkreis-Besuch ab - Erklärung zu vermutlichem Anschlag am #Breitscheidplatz um 11 Uhr. https://t.co/3D7RQ8xR9i#Merkel sagt Wahlkreis-Besuch ab - Erklärung zu vermutlichem Anschlag am #Breitscheidplatz um 11 Uhr. https://t.co/3D7RQ8xR9i
Updated
at 9.58am GMT
8.54am GMT8.54am GMT
08:5408:54
Suspect believed to be Pakistani – German mediaSuspect believed to be Pakistani – German media
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
German media is reporting that the suspect, according to unnamed German authorities, entered the country via the so-called Balkan refugee route earlier this year.German media is reporting that the suspect, according to unnamed German authorities, entered the country via the so-called Balkan refugee route earlier this year.
His exact identity is not known, and it is being reported that he has held several identities. Die Welt newspaper is reporting that he came from Pakistan.His exact identity is not known, and it is being reported that he has held several identities. Die Welt newspaper is reporting that he came from Pakistan.
Police stormed the refugee centre housed in the hangar at the disused Tempelhof airport at 4am local time, as that is where the suspected attacker was reported to have been registered.Police stormed the refugee centre housed in the hangar at the disused Tempelhof airport at 4am local time, as that is where the suspected attacker was reported to have been registered.
8.52am GMT8.52am GMT
08:5208:52
Stephan Mayer, home affairs spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, acknowledged the attacker could have come to Germany as a refugee.Stephan Mayer, home affairs spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, acknowledged the attacker could have come to Germany as a refugee.
But speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said it was too early to draw conclusions about Merkel’s immigration policy.But speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said it was too early to draw conclusions about Merkel’s immigration policy.
He said: “There are clear hints that there is a terrorist background of this horrible attack. There are rumours that the attacker was either Pakistani or Afghan and he made it as a refugee to Germany, either last year or this year, and he lived for a long period of time in Berlin in a refugee camp.”He said: “There are clear hints that there is a terrorist background of this horrible attack. There are rumours that the attacker was either Pakistani or Afghan and he made it as a refugee to Germany, either last year or this year, and he lived for a long period of time in Berlin in a refugee camp.”
Mayer added: “It would be absolutely unfair now to draw any conclusions before all the facts lay on the table. We had a period of time especially in the autumn of 2015 in which there was an uncontrolled and unregistered influx to Germany of approximately 900,000 refugees and asylum seekers. This was a period of mis-control of not controlling our borders. But we amended very intensively our German federal law.”Mayer added: “It would be absolutely unfair now to draw any conclusions before all the facts lay on the table. We had a period of time especially in the autumn of 2015 in which there was an uncontrolled and unregistered influx to Germany of approximately 900,000 refugees and asylum seekers. This was a period of mis-control of not controlling our borders. But we amended very intensively our German federal law.”
Asked how the attack would impact next year’s election in Germany, Mayer said: “Certainly we will have a very emotional debate about the refugee policy and this horrible attack means a new dimension of terrorism in Germany. German citizens are not used to such events. We will have very intensive and lively debates in the next weeks and months. But we should keep a cool head now. It is is too early to draw any conclusions from this case. No one knows if he worked for himself or part of a network. It is not clear if he had any colleagues.”Asked how the attack would impact next year’s election in Germany, Mayer said: “Certainly we will have a very emotional debate about the refugee policy and this horrible attack means a new dimension of terrorism in Germany. German citizens are not used to such events. We will have very intensive and lively debates in the next weeks and months. But we should keep a cool head now. It is is too early to draw any conclusions from this case. No one knows if he worked for himself or part of a network. It is not clear if he had any colleagues.”
Mayer added: “No one knows if he [the attacker] was registered in the right way and if he was an Islamist and it is not clear yet, but there are hints that he has an Islamist background, if his radicalisation proceeded in Germany or if he already came as an Islamist to Germany. That’s all not clear yet.”Mayer added: “No one knows if he [the attacker] was registered in the right way and if he was an Islamist and it is not clear yet, but there are hints that he has an Islamist background, if his radicalisation proceeded in Germany or if he already came as an Islamist to Germany. That’s all not clear yet.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.26am GMTat 9.26am GMT
8.43am GMT
08:43
James Walsh
Have you been affected by the Berlin Christmas market attack?
GuardianWitness is looking for accounts, photos and videos or news tips, our article is here, or you can contact us on WhatsApp on +447867825056.
Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content. We’ll use your accounts as part of our ongoing coverage.
Updated
at 9.28am GMT
8.25am GMT
08:25
Ukip’s former leader Nigel Farage is blowing his dog whistle again. He claimed “events like these will be the Merkel legacy”.
Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy.
8.16am GMT
08:16
Matthew Weaver
German government prosecutors have taken over responsibility for investigating the Breitscheidplatz attack.
Der Generalbundesanwalt hat die Ermittlungen zum #Breitschreidplatz übernommen. Auch die weitere Pressearbeit wird nun von dort erfolgen.
Updated
at 9.29am GMT
7.53am GMT
07:53
What we know so far
Claire 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.
I’m now handing over the live blog to my colleague Matthew Weaver in London, who’ll continue to update with the latest developments.
Updated
at 9.34am GMT
7.46am GMT
07:46
Kate Connolly
Thomas de Maizière, the interior minister, has ordered that flags fly at half-mast across Germany today. The ruling applies to all official buildings.
The boss of Germany’s police trade union, Oliver Malchow, has told Bavarian Broadcasting that it would never be possible to have “100% security” at the country’s 2,500 Christmas markets, which take place “at least twice a week” in every German town.
Updated
at 9.31am GMT
7.39am GMT
07:39
The UK’s shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has expressed solidarity with those affected by the attack in Berlin:
Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured in the horrific incident in Berlin, and with their families. We stand united in sorrow and solidarity with all the people of Germany, as well as with all those affected by today’s attacks in Switzerland and Turkey.
Christmas is above all a time for peace and togetherness, and if what we have seen in Berlin and elsewhere today are shown to be deliberate, terrorist attacks, let us remember that our peace and togetherness are exactly what these evil individuals are trying to destroy, and that we must never let them succeed in that aim.
Let us prove instead that – by people of all nations, creeds and colours standing strong together – we can defeat all those who simply want to sow war, division and hate.
Updated
at 9.32am GMT
7.33am GMT
07:33
Kate Connolly
Die Welt has reported that at around 4am (3am GMT) police special commandos stormed a hangar at the disused Tempelhof airport in southern Berlin.
No further details are yet available.
Part of the vast Tempelhof complex – one of the largest building complexes in the world, mainly of Nazi construction – is currently being used as a refugee centre.
Updated
at 9.37am GMT
7.26am GMT
07:26
It was only as dawn approached on Tuesday that Berlin police confirmed they were investigating the crash that has killed 12 people and wounded 48 as a “suspected terror attack”. In a series of tweets, officials said:
Our investigators are working on the assumption that the truck was intentionally driven into the crowd at the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz.
All police measures concerning the suspected terror attack at Breitscheidplatz are being taken with great speed and the necessary care.
Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, had earlier urged caution:
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.
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