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Berlin truck crash: 12 dead in 'apparent terrorist attack' at Christmas market – live Berlin Christmas market truck crash: 12 dead in 'apparent terrorist attack' – live
(35 minutes later)
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.
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 GMT3.37am GMT
03:3703:37
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.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 fuhrDer im LKW tot aufgefundene Mann steuerte nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen nicht den LKW,als der in die Menschenmenge am #Breitscheidplatz fuhr
3.21am GMT3.21am GMT
03:2103:21
Berlin police now say the man found dead inside the truck – whom they earlier identified as Polish – was not the driver.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.53am GMTat 3.53am GMT
3.06am GMT3.06am GMT
03:0603:06
TimelineTimeline
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: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 afternoonMonday 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.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.“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 8pmMonday 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.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.A further 48 people were injured, some severely, and taken to hospital.
AftermathAftermath
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.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.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.
TuesdayTuesday
Police are due to hold a press conference at 1pm on Tuesday (noon GMT).Police are due to hold a press conference at 1pm on Tuesday (noon GMT).
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.08am GMTat 3.08am GMT
2.48am GMT2.48am GMT
02:4802:48
Kate ConnollyKate 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.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.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.Many people are in deep shock, medics said.
2.31am GMT2.31am GMT
02:3102:31
Breitscheidplatz is one of Berlin’s busiest shopping areas, particularly at this time of year when Christmas markets are in full swing.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.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 GMT2.16am GMT
02:1602:16
Philip OltermannPhilip 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?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.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.”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.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.38am GMTat 2.38am GMT
1.55am GMT1.55am GMT
01:5501:55
Police have so far released no details about the identity of the man arrested.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.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).The next scheduled police press conference is at 1pm on Tuesday (noon GMT).
1.44am GMT1.44am GMT
01:4401:44
Police: dead man in truck is Polish citizenPolice: dead man in truck is Polish citizen
Berlin police say the person found dead inside the truck is a 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.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.#Ermittlungsstand: Bei dem im LKW am #Breitscheidplatz tot aufgefundenen Mann handelt es sich um einen polnischen Staatsbürger.
1.41am GMT
01:41
The Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says authorities are on alert after events in Berlin.
German police have not yet confirmed any motive or explanation for the truck crash that has killed 12 people, but the White House earlier referred to it as an apparent terror attack.
Turnbull told reporters:
We are very attentive to events internationally to ensure that we learn from them and make sure that we put measures in place to anticipate similar occurrences here.
We are intensifying the steps that we have already set in place to ensure that we have the protective measures to respond to attacks such as that that we’ve seen in Berlin.
I can reassure Australians that we have finest police and security forces in the world, we are keenly focused on keeping Australians safe, whether they are at a market or a New Year’s Eve celebration, wherever they may be.
Nonetheless, we cannot mitigate all risk entirely.
1.23am GMT
01:23
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
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.
1.07am GMT
01:07
Italy’s foreign minister, Angelino Alfano, has said he is “deeply stricken and pained” by the deaths in Berlin, Associated Press reports:
Though German police say it is too early to call whether the incident was intentional, Alfano refers to it as an attack.
In a statement provided by Italy’s foreign ministry, Alfano expresses closeness to Germans “in this sad moment that instead should be of joy and peace in the approach to the Christmas holidays”.
Alfano says such attacks “won’t change our determination to combat terrorism” alongside international partners and in particular Germany, saying the two countries are in strict coordination.
Separately, Italy’s ambassador in Berlin, Pietro Benassi, told Italian state TV that German authorities couldn’t say yet if any foreigners were among the victims.
12.55am GMT
00:55
Police: 12 people confirmed dead
Twelve people are now confirmed to have died, with 48 injured:
Traurige Gewissheit, heute verloren am #Breitscheidplatz 12 Menschen ihr Leben, 48 liegen, zum Teil schwer verletzt, in Krankenhäusern.
12.48am GMT
00:48
Philip Oltermann
By midnight, as streets all around the German capital were still echoing with the sound of sirens, an unreal calm had descended upon Breitscheidplatz square in the heart of Berlin’s central shopping district. Christmas lights were still sparkling, and groups of tourists ambled down the Kurfürstendamm boulevard, seemingly unaware as to why armed police officers were ushering them along.
The dark-blue truck that had ploughed through the northern edge of the square’s busy Christmas market at around 8pm – killing at least nine and injuring around 50 – was resting lopsided on the pavement, with only its smashed window pane and a mangled Christmas tree beneath the vehicle’s wheels telling of the force of its deadly ride.
Berlin’s mayor, Michael Müller, who visited the scene shortly after 9pm, spoke for many in the city when he admitted concerns that his worst nightmare had turned into a reality: “We hope our fears that this is an attack won’t prove true”.
#Berlin Christmas market #Breitscheidplatz closed off tomorrow. Not decided yet, if other markets open @dwnews pic.twitter.com/XtE7YA5cOY
Some of Berlin’s Christmas markets, such as the one on Gendarmenmarkt, have in recent years set up security cordons. Others have banned rucksacks, encouraged stallholders to be more watchful and ordered plain-clothed policemen to mingle with the crowds.
But for the market on Breitscheidplatz – encircled by some of the city’s busier multi-lane arteries – that had never been an option. Instead, organisers had tried to make a virtue of the market’s “barrier free” nature, advertising it as the perfect place to drop into after a spot of Christmas shopping. A mini ferris wheel, two carousels and numerous stalls selling sweets were meant to entice children.
Updated
at 12.49am GMT
12.32am GMT
00:32
The German federal president, Joachim Gauck, has issued a statement:
In my thoughts I am with the victims, with their families and with all those who fear for the safety of their friends and relatives.
I thank the emergency services and the security forces for their hard work.
12.25am GMT
00:25
A spokesman for the Berlin police confirmed they have arrested a suspect:
We’ve had a description of the driver, who was on the run at first.
Because of this description, one suspect could be arrested.
We are now investigating whether the arrested person is actually the driver of the truck.
The suspect was arrested nearby, a few hundred metres away from the scene of the attack.
12.16am GMT
00:16
Witnesses at the Breitscheidplatz have been speaking of the moment the truck sped into crowds browsing the Christmas market.
Australian Trisha O’Neill told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:
We sat just behind the stall having a mulled wine and then all of a sudden there was a big boom.
I just saw this huge black truck speeding through the markets crushing so many people and then all the lights went out and everything was destroyed.
I could hear screaming and then we all froze. Then suddenly people started to move and lift all the wreckage off people, trying to help whoever was there … [there was] blood and bodies everywhere.
People, including children and older people, weren’t moving. People were crying and I just burst into tears. All the police and ambulances came and we decided to walk away from the streets and go somewhere safe.
I’m shaking and scared. It all just happened so fast.
12.01am GMT
00:01
Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, has said he is not yet ready to call the incident at Breitscheidplatz an “attack” but added that there are indications that it was intentional.
He told ARD television:
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.
11.55pm GMT
23:55
The Polish company that owns the truck has said its driver is missing. Its transport manager, Lukasz Wasik, told AFP news agency that the driver is 37 years old 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.
We lost contact with him around 3pm local time [2pm GMT]. We don’t know what happened – whether he was taken hostage, killed. We know nothing. We’re very worried about him.
What a tragedy.