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 24 Version 25
Berlin Christmas market attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee, says Merkel Berlin Christmas market attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee, says Merkel - live
(35 minutes later)
11.29am GMT
11:29
Germany’s public prosecutor Peter Frank is to give a press conference at 2.30pm local time (1330 GMT).
Pressekonferenz zu #Breitscheidplatz #Berlin mit Generalbundesanwalt Frank und BKA-Chef Münch heute um 14.30 Uhr in Berlin.
He will be joined by Berlin’s police chief Klaus Kandt.
Our Chief of Police Klaus Kandt will also join the press conference of @BMJV_Bund at 2:30 p.m. https://t.co/4NIMitx0Zx
11.22am GMT
11:22
A man who knew Naved B, the Pakistani man named by some German media reports as the suspect, said he is “just a normal guy”.
Mohammed Jankhan, 23, says he knew suspect Naved B from Tempelhof refugee shelter. "He was just a normal guy" pic.twitter.com/6Jn9YT4Hyj
11.18am GMT
11:18
Kate Connolly
In her statement Merkel said she would visit the scene of the attack later today, together with Berlin’s mayor, Michael Müller, and the interior minster Thomas de Maizière.
A stream of politicians have been visiting the area.
Many commuters on their way to work have laid flowers and lit candles in the nearby Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church. The church was bombed in the second world war and was left in its damaged state as a memorial. It is known locally as “the jagged tooth”. People are queuing up to sign condolence books.
Updated
at 11.24am GMT
11.11am GMT
11:11
Angela Merkel’s Bavarian political allies have called for a change to Germany’s immigration and security policy after the attack.
“We owe it to the victims, to those affected and to the whole population to rethink our immigration and security policy and to change it,” said Horst Seehofer, the leader of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union, the sister party to Merkel’s Christian Democrats.
Klare Worte von Horst #Seehofer zu dem schrecklichen Attentat am Berliner #Breitscheidplatz. pic.twitter.com/OTWOZlUTl5
Updated
at 11.20am GMT
11.04am GMT
11:04
Here’s what we know so far:
Updated
at 11.14am GMT
10.51am GMT10.51am GMT
10:5110:51
The suspect had a temporary residence permit since June 2016, according to the German newspaper Die Welt citing a criminal police report. The suspect had a temporary residence permit since June 2016, according to the German newspaper Die Welt, citing a police criminal report.
The report also said that there continued to be a high threat from Islamic terrorism in Germany but there was no concrete threat. The report said that there continued to be a high threat from Islamic terrorism in Germany, but no concrete threat.
A German security source said the suspect was a 23-year-old migrant from Pakistan known to police for committing minor offencesA German security source said the suspect was a 23-year-old migrant from Pakistan known to police for committing minor offences
Updated
at 11.16am GMT
10.44am GMT10.44am GMT
10:4410:44
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
The lorry used in the attack was transported away for further examination, about an hour ago, writes Kate Connolly. The lorry used in the attack was taken away for examination about an hour ago, writes Kate Connolly.
The space left behind showed traces of blood, market stall canopies, a collapsed Christmas tree, broken bottles, and other debris.The space left behind showed traces of blood, market stall canopies, a collapsed Christmas tree, broken bottles, and other debris.
The square, normally a busy Berlin intersection is eerily quiet, and continues to be cordoned off. Police are now examing the space left by the lorry for further evidence. The square, normally a busy Berlin intersection is eerily quiet, and continues to be cordoned off. Police are now examining the scene for further evidence.
Updated
at 11.09am GMT
10.25am GMT10.25am GMT
10:2510:25
Merkel: attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugeeMerkel: attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee
Here’s more of Merkel’s statement:Here’s more of Merkel’s statement:
“Twelve people, who were looking forward to Christmas and had plans for the festive season, are no longer among us. It is a terrible deed which one cannot understand. Many people who were injured are fighting for their lives. In these hours our first thoughts are for these people – the dead, the injured, their families, their friends.“Twelve people, who were looking forward to Christmas and had plans for the festive season, are no longer among us. It is a terrible deed which one cannot understand. Many people who were injured are fighting for their lives. In these hours our first thoughts are for these people – the dead, the injured, their families, their friends.
“The whole of the country is with you in deep sadness ... many pray for you.“The whole of the country is with you in deep sadness ... many pray for you.
“I have great trust in the men and women that have worked since last night on solving this heinous deed. It will be solved, in every detail, and it will be punished, as severely as our laws demand. For now, there is little we know of this deed with certainty.“I have great trust in the men and women that have worked since last night on solving this heinous deed. It will be solved, in every detail, and it will be punished, as severely as our laws demand. For now, there is little we know of this deed with certainty.
“But given the current information we have, we have to assume we are dealing with a terrorist attack. I know that it would be particularly hard to bear for all of us if it was confirmed that a person committed this crime who asked for protection and asylum in Germany. This would be particularly repugnant in the face of the many many Germans who have dedicated themselves day after day to helping refugees, and in the face of the many people who actually need our protection and try to integrate into our country.“But given the current information we have, we have to assume we are dealing with a terrorist attack. I know that it would be particularly hard to bear for all of us if it was confirmed that a person committed this crime who asked for protection and asylum in Germany. This would be particularly repugnant in the face of the many many Germans who have dedicated themselves day after day to helping refugees, and in the face of the many people who actually need our protection and try to integrate into our country.
“I’m in constant contact with the minister of interior, De Maizière, with the president, and with the mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller. The security cabinet will convene in a few hours.“I’m in constant contact with the minister of interior, De Maizière, with the president, and with the mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller. The security cabinet will convene in a few hours.
“Together with the mayor and the minister of the interior I will go to the Breitscheildplatz in the afternoon in order to pay our respects. Millions of people, including me, are asking how can someone take so many lives when we are celebrating life in the festive season. I don’t have an answer to this. We do not want to allow ourselves to be paralysed by terror. Although it might be difficult we will find the strength to continue living life as we want to live it in Germany - in freedom, openness and together.” “Together with the mayor and the minister of the interior I will go to the Breitscheidplatz in the afternoon in order to pay our respects. Millions of people, including me, are asking how can someone take so many lives when we are celebrating life in the festive season. I don’t have an answer to this. We do not want to allow ourselves to be paralysed by terror. Although it might be difficult we will find the strength to continue living life as we want to live it in Germany – in freedom, openness and together.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.38am GMT at 11.07am GMT
10.07am GMT10.07am GMT
10:0710:07
Merkel added: “This unspeakable act will be as severely punished as the law will allow.”Merkel added: “This unspeakable act will be as severely punished as the law will allow.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.09am GMTat 10.09am GMT
10.05am GMT10.05am GMT
10:0510:05
Merkel says she will visit the scene of the attack after meeting her cabinet.Merkel says she will visit the scene of the attack after meeting her cabinet.
10.05am GMT10.05am GMT
10:0510:05
Assumption is that this was a terror attack – MerkelAssumption is that this was a terror attack – Merkel
“We must assume it was a terrorist attack,” Merkel says.“We must assume it was a terrorist attack,” Merkel says.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.21am GMTat 10.21am GMT
10.03am GMT10.03am GMT
10:0310:03
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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.10am GMTat 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 10.20am GMT
9.34am GMT
09:34
Met police reviewing protection plans
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.
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.”
Updated
at 10.21am GMT
9.28am GMT
09:28
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
Updated
at 10.04am GMT
9.19am GMT
09:19
AfD says Germany's Christian tradition is under attack
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, 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.
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 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.”
Updated
at 9.58am GMT
9.10am GMT
09:10
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 the man arrived in Germany about a year ago.
Updated
at 9.58am GMT
9.02am GMT
09:02
Merkel to give a statement
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.
#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 GMT
08:54
Suspect believed to be Pakistani – German media
Kate 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.
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.
8.52am GMT
08:52
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.
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.”
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.”
Updated
at 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