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Berlin lorry attack: What we know Berlin lorry attack: What we know
(about 3 hours later)
A lorry smashed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48, with 18 of them in a critical condition.A lorry smashed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48, with 18 of them in a critical condition.
German police are treating it as a terror attack. It has already been compared with the July lorry attack in Nice, southern France, which killed 86 people.German police are treating it as a terror attack. It has already been compared with the July lorry attack in Nice, southern France, which killed 86 people.
A suspect, a 23-year-old Pakistani man, was arrested on Monday night. He arrived in Germany last December as an asylum seeker, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said.A suspect, a 23-year-old Pakistani man, was arrested on Monday night. He arrived in Germany last December as an asylum seeker, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said.
The man denied involvement - and Mr de Maiziere said a manhunt was continuing. The Pakistani's name is on some databases, but not anti-terror ones, he said.The man denied involvement - and Mr de Maiziere said a manhunt was continuing. The Pakistani's name is on some databases, but not anti-terror ones, he said.
What happened?What happened?
At 20:14 local time (19:14 GMT) the lorry, laden with steel beams, crashed into people gathered around wooden huts and stands selling mulled wine and sausages.At 20:14 local time (19:14 GMT) the lorry, laden with steel beams, crashed into people gathered around wooden huts and stands selling mulled wine and sausages.
The market was packed with tourists and locals, at Breitscheidplatz, near Berlin's famous Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which was damaged in a World War Two bombing raid.The market was packed with tourists and locals, at Breitscheidplatz, near Berlin's famous Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which was damaged in a World War Two bombing raid.
The lorry, registered in Poland, drove 50-80 metres (160-260 ft) through the market.The lorry, registered in Poland, drove 50-80 metres (160-260 ft) through the market.
Witnesses reckoned its speed to be about 64km/h (40mph), as it sent market stalls flying, leaving a trail of debris and casualties.Witnesses reckoned its speed to be about 64km/h (40mph), as it sent market stalls flying, leaving a trail of debris and casualties.
Australian Trisha O'Neill said she witnessed "blood and bodies everywhere".Australian Trisha O'Neill said she witnessed "blood and bodies everywhere".
"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."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.""Then suddenly people started to move and lift all the wreckage off people, trying to help whoever was there."
After the lorry stopped, the suspected driver fled into the darkness of the Tiergarten park. He was pursued for more than a mile (2km) by a witness, who called the police. They soon detained the suspect near the park's Victory Column monument.After the lorry stopped, the suspected driver fled into the darkness of the Tiergarten park. He was pursued for more than a mile (2km) by a witness, who called the police. They soon detained the suspect near the park's Victory Column monument.
A Polish citizen was found dead in the lorry's passenger seat - and police do not think that he drove the lorry into the crowd. He is believed to have been the registered driver.A Polish citizen was found dead in the lorry's passenger seat - and police do not think that he drove the lorry into the crowd. He is believed to have been the registered driver.
The pistol apparently used to kill him has not yet been found. A pistol apparently used to kill him has not yet been found.
Live: Latest updates
Berlin witnesses describe devastation
A year of terror in Germany
Where did the lorry come from?Where did the lorry come from?
The Polish owner, Ariel Zurawski, said he had been unable to contact his driver since about 16:00 on Monday.The Polish owner, Ariel Zurawski, said he had been unable to contact his driver since about 16:00 on Monday.
The consignment of steel beams came from Italy, reports say.The consignment of steel beams came from Italy, reports say.
Mr Zurawski told a Polish TV channel that the dead man found in the lorry was his cousin. He insisted that "my driver simply could not have done this... something must have happened to him". Mr Zurawski told a Polish TV channel that the dead man found in the lorry was his cousin. He insisted that "my driver simply could not have done this."
Later, after seeing a police photo of the dead man, he said "stab wounds were clearly visible on the photo".
"It was a photo showing the face of my cousin, it was really clear that he had been fighting. His face was all swollen and bloodied."
The German news website Focus said analysis of the lorry's GPS data showed that its engine had been started several times on Monday afternoon. Finally at 19:34 the lorry had set off.The German news website Focus said analysis of the lorry's GPS data showed that its engine had been started several times on Monday afternoon. Finally at 19:34 the lorry had set off.
A man at the Polish haulage firm, Lukasz Wasik, said the lorry was supposed to have been kept stationary, as its cargo was to be unloaded on Tuesday.A man at the Polish haulage firm, Lukasz Wasik, said the lorry was supposed to have been kept stationary, as its cargo was to be unloaded on Tuesday.
Live: Latest updates
Berlin witnesses describe devastation
A year of terror in Germany
How have the authorities reacted?How have the authorities reacted?
For several hours they avoided branding it a terror attack, but later Interior Minister De Maiziere did.For several hours they avoided branding it a terror attack, but later Interior Minister De Maiziere did.
Berlin police have urged the public to report anything suspicious to them, because the killer could still be at large. They are tweeting updates in German and English.Berlin police have urged the public to report anything suspicious to them, because the killer could still be at large. They are tweeting updates in German and English.
On Tuesday there were reports that German special forces had begun searching a hangar at Berlin's Tempelhof airport. It has recently become home to nearly 2,000 migrants.On Tuesday there were reports that German special forces had begun searching a hangar at Berlin's Tempelhof airport. It has recently become home to nearly 2,000 migrants.
Forensic experts are gathering evidence at the Christmas market place.Forensic experts are gathering evidence at the Christmas market place.
German President Joachim Gauck expressed condolences for the victims, saying "this is an awful evening for Berlin and our country".German President Joachim Gauck expressed condolences for the victims, saying "this is an awful evening for Berlin and our country".
In a TV address to the nation on Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said "we have to consider this a terrorist attack".In a TV address to the nation on Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said "we have to consider this a terrorist attack".
Referring to the suspicions that an asylum seeker was responsible, she said "it would be particularly sickening for the many Germans who daily work to help refugees".Referring to the suspicions that an asylum seeker was responsible, she said "it would be particularly sickening for the many Germans who daily work to help refugees".
Despite security fears, Germans do not want to stop Christmas markets and public festivities, she said.Despite security fears, Germans do not want to stop Christmas markets and public festivities, she said.
Mr de Maiziere said Berlin's Christmas markets would be closed for a day, as the capital mourns, but those elsewhere would remain open. He urged vigilance.Mr de Maiziere said Berlin's Christmas markets would be closed for a day, as the capital mourns, but those elsewhere would remain open. He urged vigilance.
Are there Islamist links, as in the Nice or Paris atrocities?Are there Islamist links, as in the Nice or Paris atrocities?
There is no such evidence yet.There is no such evidence yet.
The Nice beachfront attack, carried out by a Tunisian-born man, was claimed by so-called Islamic State (IS).The Nice beachfront attack, carried out by a Tunisian-born man, was claimed by so-called Islamic State (IS).
The jihadist group - currently being attacked by Western and Russian warplanes in Iraq and Syria - has urged its supporters to use vehicles to attack Westerners.The jihadist group - currently being attacked by Western and Russian warplanes in Iraq and Syria - has urged its supporters to use vehicles to attack Westerners.
Germany was shocked by four terror attacks in the summer, two of which - by asylum seekers - were claimed by IS.Germany was shocked by four terror attacks in the summer, two of which - by asylum seekers - were claimed by IS.
Alternative for Germany (AfD), an increasingly popular anti-immigrant party, warned that Mrs Merkel's "open-door" policy towards refugees in 2014-2015 posed a big security risk.Alternative for Germany (AfD), an increasingly popular anti-immigrant party, warned that Mrs Merkel's "open-door" policy towards refugees in 2014-2015 posed a big security risk.