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Berlin Christmas market attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee, says Merkel - live Christmas market attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee, says Merkel - as it happened
(35 minutes later)
12.05pm GMT
12:05
We’ve started a new blog to cover the latest on the attack and investigation into the Pakistani suspect.
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at 12.16pm GMT
12.04pm GMT12.04pm GMT
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Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
According to De Maizière, the suspect, Naved B., speaks Baluchi, one of five regional languages spoken in Pakistan. De Maizière said there had been problems questioning him in the past because no translator could be found who spoke Baluchi. According to De Maizière, the suspect, Naved B, speaks Balochi, one of five regional languages spoken in Pakistan. De Maizière said there had been problems questioning him in the past because no translator could be found who spoke the language.
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11.56am GMT11.56am GMT
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Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
De Maizière also confirmed that the man who has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack has denied the charges. De Maizière also confirms that the man who has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack has denied the charges.
The arrested man is from Pakistan, and arrived in Germany on 31 December 2015. He arrived in Berlin in February. The suspect spoke a dialect for which no translator could be found, the minister said.The arrested man is from Pakistan, and arrived in Germany on 31 December 2015. He arrived in Berlin in February. The suspect spoke a dialect for which no translator could be found, the minister said.
De Maizière says he is not giving much attention to the ISIS message claiming responsibility for the attack. De Maizière says he is not giving much attention to the Isis message claiming responsibility for the attack.
He confirmed he will attend the vigil for the victims at 6pm in the Memorial Church on the square where the attack took place. He confirms he will attend the vigil for the victims at 6pm in the memorial church on the square where the attack took place.
De Maizière said investigators will not rest until they have completed their investigation into the attack. De Maizière said police will not rest until they have completed their investigation into the attack.
He urged once again for Christmas markets to remain open, but warned people to remain vigilant. He said it would be “a lovely idea to go to a Christmas market and buy a crib”.He urged once again for Christmas markets to remain open, but warned people to remain vigilant. He said it would be “a lovely idea to go to a Christmas market and buy a crib”.
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11.49am GMT11.49am GMT
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De Maizière says the arrested man was not on any database for terror suspects. His application for asylum had not been completed, he adds.De Maizière says the arrested man was not on any database for terror suspects. His application for asylum had not been completed, he adds.
The pistol used to shoot the dead passenger has not been found, De Maizière says.The pistol used to shoot the dead passenger has not been found, De Maizière says.
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at 11.54am GMTat 11.54am GMT
11.47am GMT11.47am GMT
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De Maizière confirms that the suspect is believed to be from Pakistan. He did not have a record of terrorism, the minister says.De Maizière confirms that the suspect is believed to be from Pakistan. He did not have a record of terrorism, the minister says.
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at 11.52am GMTat 11.52am GMT
11.43am GMT11.43am GMT
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De Maizière says the driver fled the scene. One of the 12 people who died was found dead on the passenger seat of the truck. He was shot with a pistol, says De Maizière.De Maizière says the driver fled the scene. One of the 12 people who died was found dead on the passenger seat of the truck. He was shot with a pistol, says De Maizière.
More details on the suspect will be provided later by prosecutors.More details on the suspect will be provided later by prosecutors.
De Maizière says we “must not compromise our lifestyle, if we do that the enemies of freedom have already won”. He adds: “We are deeply saddened but we also fight for our freedom.”De Maizière says we “must not compromise our lifestyle, if we do that the enemies of freedom have already won”. He adds: “We are deeply saddened but we also fight for our freedom.”
He confirms that Christmas markets in Berlin will be closed today, but will be open in the rest of the Germany. “To simply stop would be wrong,” he said.He confirms that Christmas markets in Berlin will be closed today, but will be open in the rest of the Germany. “To simply stop would be wrong,” he said.
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at 11.51am GMTat 11.51am GMT
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Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, is giving a press conference in Berlin. He said 18 people were “very seriously injured” in the attack, according to a BBC translation.Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, is giving a press conference in Berlin. He said 18 people were “very seriously injured” in the attack, according to a BBC translation.
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at 11.44am GMTat 11.44am GMT
11.35am GMT11.35am GMT
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A spokesman for Berlin’s office for refugee affairs has confirmed that police conducted a search overnight at a large shelter for asylum seekers at the city’s defunct Tempelhof airport.A spokesman for Berlin’s office for refugee affairs has confirmed that police conducted a search overnight at a large shelter for asylum seekers at the city’s defunct Tempelhof airport.
Four men in their late 20s were questioned but nobody was arrested, Sascha Langenbach told the Associated Press.Four men in their late 20s were questioned but nobody was arrested, Sascha Langenbach told the Associated Press.
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at 11.39am GMTat 11.39am GMT
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Germany’s public prosecutor, Peter Frank, is to give a press conference at 2.30pm local time (1.30pm GMT).Germany’s public prosecutor, Peter Frank, is to give a press conference at 2.30pm local time (1.30pm GMT).
Pressekonferenz zu #Breitscheidplatz #Berlin mit Generalbundesanwalt Frank und BKA-Chef Münch heute um 14.30 Uhr in Berlin.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.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/4NIMitx0ZxOur Chief of Police Klaus Kandt will also join the press conference of @BMJV_Bund at 2:30 p.m. https://t.co/4NIMitx0Zx
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at 11.32am GMTat 11.32am GMT
11.22am GMT11.22am GMT
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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”.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/6Jn9YT4HyjMohammed 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.
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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
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Here’s what we know so far:
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The suspect had a temporary residence permit since June 2016, according to the German newspaper Die Welt, citing a police criminal report.
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 offences
Updated
at 11.16am GMT
10.44am GMT
10:44
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 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 GMT
10:25
Merkel: attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Updated
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10.07am GMT
10:07
Merkel added: “This unspeakable act will be as severely punished as the law will allow.”
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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
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Assumption is that this was a terror attack – Merkel
“We must assume it was a terrorist attack,” Merkel says.
Updated
at 10.21am 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