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Berlin attack: German police say they have more than 500 leads Berlin attack: police 'seeking Tunisian man'
(35 minutes later)
German police say they have received more than 500 leads that could help them identify the man who drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin on Monday night, killing 12 people. Police are searching for a Tunisian man in connection with the truck attack on a Christmas market that killed 12 people in Berlin on Monday night, German media are reporting.
Der Spiegel reported that police were looking for a Tunisian man after finding an identity document under the driver’s seat of the truck. The paper, which did not cite its sources, said the document was in the name of Anis, born in Tataouine in 1992, and that the suspect was believed to use false names. Der Spiegel reported that police had found an identity document under the driver’s seat of the truck in the name of Anis A, born in Tataouine in 1992, and that the suspect was believed to use different names. The documents announced a stay of deportation, Der Spiegel, Allgemeine Zeitung and Bild reported.
A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker who was arrested as a suspect in the immediate aftermath of the deadly attack was released on Tuesday evening after police acknowledged they had caught the wrong man. Police, who have not commented officially on the reports, were said to be searching for the suspect in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Earlier, authorities said they had received more than 500 leads that could help them identify the suspect. A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker who was arrested as a suspect in the immediate aftermath of the deadly attack was released on Tuesday evening after police acknowledged they had caught the wrong man.
Officials said they were still optimistic the perpetrator could be identified and caught swiftly.Officials said they were still optimistic the perpetrator could be identified and caught swiftly.
André Schulz, the head of the German Union of Detective Constables, said investigators were analysing DNA traces and fingerprints, as well using GPS data from the evening of the attack to trace the perpetrator’s mobile phone. “We have many ways to find this person,” Schulz said.André Schulz, the head of the German Union of Detective Constables, said investigators were analysing DNA traces and fingerprints, as well using GPS data from the evening of the attack to trace the perpetrator’s mobile phone. “We have many ways to find this person,” Schulz said.
Among the dead was the vehicle’s registered driver, Łukasz Urban, a 37-year-old Polish national. Citing anonymous investigators, the German tabloid Bild reported on Wednesday morning that Urban had been shot after the truck came to its final standstill, and may have fought with the driver until the moment the vehicle ploughed into a row of booths at the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz. Among the dead was the vehicle’s registered driver, Łukasz Urban, a 37-year-old Polish national. Citing anonymous investigators, the German tabloid Bild reported on Wednesday morning that Urban, who had gun and stab wounds, had been shot after the truck came to its final standstill, and may have fought with the driver until the moment the vehicle ploughed into a row of booths at the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz.
“There must have been a struggle,” a source quoted by Bild said, speculating that the driver could have stabbed Urban because he tried to grab the steering wheel to avert an even greater tragedy.“There must have been a struggle,” a source quoted by Bild said, speculating that the driver could have stabbed Urban because he tried to grab the steering wheel to avert an even greater tragedy.
The family of a missing 31-year-old Italian, Fabrizia di Lorenzo, fear she was one of the dead. She did not turn up to work and her phone and travel card were found at the crime scene. Her father, Gaetano, told Italian media that he had given up hope of seeing her again.The family of a missing 31-year-old Italian, Fabrizia di Lorenzo, fear she was one of the dead. She did not turn up to work and her phone and travel card were found at the crime scene. Her father, Gaetano, told Italian media that he had given up hope of seeing her again.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, although there is no evidence yet for its claim. Through its Amaq news agency, the jihadi group claimed the attacker was a “soldier of the Islamic State”. The phrasing matches that used to claim previous lone wolf attacks, such as the incident in Orlando in June when 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub.Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, although there is no evidence yet for its claim. Through its Amaq news agency, the jihadi group claimed the attacker was a “soldier of the Islamic State”. The phrasing matches that used to claim previous lone wolf attacks, such as the incident in Orlando in June when 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub.
The Polish-registered truck careered into the market off a main road at about 8pm local time on Monday. It is believed to have been laden with 20 tonnes of steel girders. It travelled for about 80 metres at a reported 45-50mph (70-80km/h) before crashing into wooden stalls and shoppers and coming to a halt outside the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church.The Polish-registered truck careered into the market off a main road at about 8pm local time on Monday. It is believed to have been laden with 20 tonnes of steel girders. It travelled for about 80 metres at a reported 45-50mph (70-80km/h) before crashing into wooden stalls and shoppers and coming to a halt outside the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church.
Politicians gathered for a service in the church on Tuesday evening. Joachim Gauck, the German president, said the church, which was bombed during the war, had suffered “another open wound” but stood witness to Berlin’s ability to overcome difficult times.Politicians gathered for a service in the church on Tuesday evening. Joachim Gauck, the German president, said the church, which was bombed during the war, had suffered “another open wound” but stood witness to Berlin’s ability to overcome difficult times.
There are about 2,500 Christmas markets in Germany, including 60 in the capital, and questions are being asked about whether they are well enough protected from the threat of terrorism. Security experts have warned for years that they could be a soft target for terrorists because they are rarely cordoned off and have few or no bag checks.There are about 2,500 Christmas markets in Germany, including 60 in the capital, and questions are being asked about whether they are well enough protected from the threat of terrorism. Security experts have warned for years that they could be a soft target for terrorists because they are rarely cordoned off and have few or no bag checks.
In November, US authorities warned their citizens to avoid Germany’s Christmas markets, considering them to be a high risk. No such warning was issued by German authorities.In November, US authorities warned their citizens to avoid Germany’s Christmas markets, considering them to be a high risk. No such warning was issued by German authorities.