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 https://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 14 Version 15
Berlin Christmas market truck crash: 12 killed in 'deliberate' attack – live Berlin truck 'terrorist attack': 12 killed in Christmas market crash – live
(35 minutes later)
5.30am GMT
05:30
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.
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.
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/8EXL1W0Deh
5.07am GMT
05:07
Police: crash was '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.
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 GMT4.28am GMT
04:2804:28
The Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz fell silent as the truck came to a halt, an eyewitness has told Press Association: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.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.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.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.”“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.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.“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.“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.”“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.Hollitzer, who lives in Berlin, said it became “more noisy” as emergency services arrived at the scene and the initial shock of onlookers subsided.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.32am GMTat 4.32am GMT
4.08am GMT4.08am GMT
04:0804:08
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
The man who was found dead in the truck did not control the truck that drove to the Christmas market #BreitscheidplatzThe 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.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.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 4.22am GMTat 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.