A refugee is assumed to have been behind the wheel of a 25-tonne articulated lorry which mowed down and killed 12 individuals - and injured 48 others - because it sped at 40mph by means of a busy Christmas market in Berlin.
The automobile laden with metal cargo mounted the pavement at 7pm, earlier than tearing by means of stalls and customers on Breitscheidplatz Sq., exterior the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church within the German capital's essential procuring space.
The person on the wheel - who in line with German newspaper Berliner used totally different aliases, was of Afghan heritage and had arrived in Germany in February - fled the scene earlier than being arrested at a close-by zoo.
Police confirmed the unique driver, who was transporting metal beams from Poland to Germany, was a Polish nationwide who was discovered useless within the lorry's cabin. It's thought he was hijacked.
As German police, the White Home and Germany's high safety official indicated the incident was terror associated, there was a chilling echo of the lethal terror assault within the French metropolis of Good in July. It additionally got here only one hour after the Russian ambassador was shot useless in Ankara.
The harrowing incident additionally comes amid repeated warnings from varied safety businesses that ISIS deliberate to wreak havoc on European nations throughout the festive season, particularly threatening Christmas markets.
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The automobile left a path of devastation in its wake, in a chilling echo of the lethal terror assault within the French metropolis of Good in July - and comes only one hour after the Russian ambassador was shot useless in Ankara
No less than 12 individuals have been killed and round 48 injured after a lorry ploughed by means of a crowd of customers at a busy Christmas market in Berlin
The automobile mounted the pavement earlier than tearing by means of stalls and customers available in the market on Breitscheidplatz Sq., exterior the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church within the German capital's essential procuring space
There have been harrowing scenes on Monday night in Berlin, after a number of individuals misplaced their lives simply days earlier than Christmas
The normally merry streets grew to become scenes of chaos, with individuals being pulled from beneath the flattened picket stalls and others ferried off in ambulances, some tragically beneath white sheets.
The Die Welt newspaper stated that German intelligence had been warning metropolis authorities for the previous week of a doable assault on a Christmas market.
Germany's justice minister says federal prosecutors, who deal with terrorism instances, had taken over the investigation, whereas police used Twitter to induce locals to remain of their houses, to 'verify suspicious objects' and inspired individuals to make use of a Fb security verify family members had been protected.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is 'mourning the useless', whereas The White Home stated: 'The US condemns within the strongest phrases what seems to have been a terrorist assault on a Christmas Market in Berlin, Germany, which has killed and wounded dozens.'
The Polish proprietor of the lorry confirmed his driver was lacking.
Talking on Polish information channel TVN24, the proprietor of the haulage agency Ariel Zurawski stated his relative wouldn't have dedicated an act of terror: 'I can say hand on coronary heart that the person who drove into these individuals within the centre of Berlin was not my driver.
'That is my cousin. I've identified him since I used to be born. I can vouch for him.
'My situation is that they did one thing to the driving force – they hijacked this automobile as a result of it was virtually within the centre of Berlin and so they had a superb automobile with which they might do what they did.
'They did one thing to my driver, God forbid, one thing critical. It appears to be like like that.
'We have not heard from him since this afternoon. We do not know what occurred to him.'
British vacationer Mike Fox, from Birmingham, stated the big truck missed him by about three meters because it drove into the market, tearing by means of tables and picket stands.
'It was positively deliberate,' he stated.
Mr Fox stated he helped individuals who appeared to have damaged limbs, and stated others had been trapped beneath Christmas stands, including: 'We had been available in the market, exterior the cathedral and we had simply had mulled wine then as we had been leaving the big truck got here by means of.
'It went simply previous me, previous my girlfriend. I believe it missed me by three metres, missed her by 5. It got here in by means of the doorway, hit the edges of the boundaries after which carried on previous us.
'You do what you possibly can to assist who you possibly can, actually. It occurred so quick that there was nothing we may do to cease it - if we might tried to cease it we might have been crushed.'
Emma Rushton from Rugby in Warwickshire, noticed the lorry rush previous her at velocity and stated it couldn't have been an accident.
She instructed Sky Information she solely missed being caught within the chaos as a result of she had climbed up some steps to sit, including: 'The stall that we purchased our mulled wine from was utterly crushed. Folks had been tearing off picket panels to get out.
'It was not an accident. It was going 40mph, it was in the midst of the market. There was no method that it may have come off the highway and it confirmed no indicators of slowing down.'
'I heard an enormous noise after which I moved on the Christmas market and noticed a lot chaos...many injured individuals,' Jan Hollitzer, deputy editor in chief of Berliner Morgenpost, instructed CNN. 'It was actually traumatic.'
Richard Clarkson, from Brighton, instructed the Irish Impartial he was on the close by Irish Bar with buddies when the incident occurred.
As information of the incident unfold globally, White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesman Ned Value stated america condemned it as an obvious terror assault
The demise toll, which has risen from 9, was confirmed by Berlin Police on Twitter. The pressure stated 48 individuals who had been injured - a few of them significantly - have been taken to hospital
Bystanders stated the crash 'couldn't have been an accident' because the articulated lorry sped previous them and into the group
Police detectives climbed over the particles to go looking the truck, as investigators labored by means of the night time to ascertain what had occurred
President-elect Donald Trump branded it an act of terrorism, tweeting: 'At this time there have been terror assaults in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is just getting worse'
A lot of British vacationers had been amongst those that witnessed the appalling crash - which occurred regardless of authorities being warned of a doable assault
The automobile maneuvered from Budapester Strasse onto the world exterior the Memorial Church earlier than ploughing into the group
The Die Welt newspaper stated that German intelligence had been warning metropolis authorities for the previous week of a doable assault on a Christmas market
Police in Berlin saved members of the general public up to date, tweeting the truck might have been stolen and was carrying metal beams - making it much more lethal because it careered by means of the group
World leaders have united within the aftermath of the tragedy, with Boris Johnson and Francois Hollande sending their condolences to
Brighton resident Mr Clarkson stated: 'I simply walked out and I noticed the truck, the windscreen was damaged, I did not see any our bodies they had been very fast to cowl them up I believe.
'The phrase terrorist is being thrown round lots in the meanwhile and other people appear scared.'
German Inside Minister Thomas de Maiziere stated the circumstances of the lethal crash had been nonetheless unclear, however lots pointed to an assault.
'We do not but have something conclusive concerning the circumstances and the course of occasions,' de Maiziere instructed ARD public tv, including that investigators had been working onerous to place collectively all of the items of proof.
'I do not wish to use the phrase 'assault' but though lots factors to that,' the minister stated.
One eye witness stated the lorry had no lights on when it smashed into the market.
He stated: 'He simply drove onto the sq. from the Kant road. That needed to have been intentional, as a result of his lights weren't switched on. After which I simply heard this loud bang and hysterical screaming.'
Australian Trisha O'Neill instructed the Australian Broadcasting Company she was solely metres from the place the truck smashed into the crowded market.
'I simply noticed this big black truck dashing by means of the markets crushing so many individuals after which all of the lights went out and the whole lot was destroyed.
'I may hear screaming after which all of us froze. Then all of the sudden individuals began to maneuver and carry all of the wreckage off individuals, attempting to assist whoever was there.'
O'Neill stated there was 'blood and our bodies in every single place'.
An eyewitness stated: 'I simply noticed this big black truck dashing by means of the markets crushing so many individuals after which all of the lights went out and the whole lot was destroyed'
The 25-tonne automobile left a path of devastation because it tore by means of the normally merry festive market
One eye witness stated the lorry had no lights on when it smashed into the market, including He stated: 'He simply drove onto the sq.. That needed to have been intentional, as a result of his lights weren't switched on'
Carnage: There was absolute carnage in Berlin because the festive market became a harrowing and tragic scene
Federal prosecutors, who deal with terrorism instances, have taken over the investigation in line with justice minister Heiko Maas, who stated in a tweet 'we're mourning with the kinfolk' of the victims
The automobile mounted the pavement earlier than dashing by means of a crowd of customers, tearing by means of stalls because it travelled the size of the market
Aerial pictures from the scene present the devastating aftermath on the crash scene and particles across the truck
Germany's justice minister says that federal prosecutors, who deal with terrorism instances, had been taking up the investigation
German intelligence had apparently been warning metropolis authorities for the previous week of a doable assault on a Christmas market
There are dozens of ambulances and fireplace engines on the scene as they work to recuperate our bodies and assist these injured
The truck travelled for some 80 ft by means of the market - crashing by means of market stalls and harmless bystanders
Ambulances line the streets as rescue staff deal with these on the scene and attempt to save these critically injured
Berlin's Mayor Michael Mueller speaks to the media on the scene of the crash as officers and police launched an investigation
In an announcement launched after the crash, President elect Donald Trump stated: 'Our hearts and prayers are with the family members of the victims of the horrifying terror assault in Berlin.
'Harmless civilians had been murdered within the streets as they ready to rejoice the Christmas vacation.
'ISIS and different Islamist terrorists frequently slaughter Christians of their communities and locations of worship as a part of their world jihad.
'These terrorists and their regional and worldwide networks have to be eradicated from the face of the earth, a mission we'll perform with all freedom-loving companions.
Sabrina Glinz, an American vacationer, was locked in her lodge after quite a few buildings within the space had been positioned on lockdown.
Watching the scene unfold from the 15th flooring, she instructed Sky Information: 'You simply preserve seeing individuals getting loaded into ambulances and it does not appear to finish. Simply the white sheets overlaying them.'
She added: 'The road that he has to have gone in you've gotten do a u-turn on the road to show round and as a substitute of doing a u-turn he turned proper straight into the market.
'There was completely no method he may have unintentionally, he went straight into it then veered to the left and is now again onto the principle road had been the truck is resting.
'He went again to the start had been it was busiest after which simply careered by means of the buildings.
Italian Overseas Minister Angelino Alfano stated he was 'deeply stricken and pained' by what he reffered to as an assault in Berlin.
In an announcement offered by Italy's overseas ministry, Alfano expressed closeness to Germans 'on this unhappy second that as a substitute needs to be of pleasure and peace within the strategy to the Christmas holidays.'
Alfano stated assaults 'will not change our willpower to fight terrorism' alongside worldwide companions and specifically Germany, saying the 2 nations are in strict coordination.
An injured man is pushed to an ambulance on the web site of an accident as scores of others are handled on the scene
The automobile sped by means of a crowd of customers on the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz Sq. close to the Kurfuerstendamm Avenue in west Berlin
Police subsequently stated 12 individuals had been killed and one particular person has been detained over the incident - which comes lower than every week earlier than Christmas
Ambulances and police rushed to the world after the driving force drove up the pavement of the market in a central sq. common with vacationers, in scenes harking back to the lethal truck assault within the French metropolis of Good in July
The heavy items automobile might be seen clearly broken - and the driving force was later apprehended on the metropolis zoo
Police stand exterior a tent close to the Christmas market in Berlin as these injured within the devastating crash are handled
Armed police are standing guard on the entrance to the market and round Berlin as safety is tightened
A number of individuals have died whereas dozens have been injured as police examine the alleged assault at a market exterior the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Police, fireplace crews and paramedics raced to the scene of the incident in Berlin as a rescue effort obtained underway
The truck bumped into the market exterior the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church round 7pm on Monday night
Police had stated the primary indications from the investigation recommended the truck crash was a terror assault
The horrific incident has taken place at a web site common amongst vacationers - with many Brits on the scene
Police have closed off the busy market and launched a manhunt for the suspect, who was arrested close by shortly afterwards
Germany has not in recent times suffered a large-scale assault from Islamist militants like these seen in neighbouring Belgium and France.
Nevertheless it was shaken by two smaller assaults in Bavaria over the summer time, one on a prepare close to Wuerzburg and one other at a music pageant in Ansbach that wounded 20 individuals.
Each had been claimed by Islamic State.
And authorities officers have stated the nation, which accepted practically 900,00zero migrants final 12 months, many from the war-torn Center East, lies within the 'crosshairs of terrorism.'
In mid-October, police arrested a Syrian refugee suspected of planning a bomb assault on an airport in Berlin.
The 22-year-old man dedicated suicide in jail shortly after his arrest.
Solely final week it was revealed 12-year-old boy tried to bomb the Christmas market within the city of Ludwigshafen with a nail bomb - twice.
The boy, of Iraqi-German dad and mom, was radicalised solely just lately and is now within the care of the native youth authorities.
The incident has occurred on Monday night in a busy Christmas market in Berlin, Germany
Medics are furiously working to deal with these injured on the scene, after the truck brought about carnage and left sheer carnage behind it
A view of the usually merry and fairly Christmas market on the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, Germany
Truck that ploughed by means of Berlin Christmas market was STOLEN from a development web site, police reveal
The truck that killed 12 individuals and injured 50 because it careered by means of a Christmas market in Berlin had been stolen from a development web site, police have revealed.
The suspect thought to have been driving - believed to be a refugee - was arrested shortly after the tragedy at a close-by zoo, whereas one other unidentified man was discovered useless within the cab.
The arrest fuels fears for the Polish man who was registered as the driving force, as his agency's proprietor stated he had 'whole confidence' he was not behind the wheel throughout the Good-style bloodbath this afternoon.
The boss, Ariel Zielinski, who can also be the driving force's cousin, stated they final spoke at noon however the man's spouse had been unable to succeed in him at 4pm - hours earlier than the incident, which eyewitnesses declare was deliberate.
Police in Berlin have now confirmed that the truck was Polish and stolen from a development web site, however have refused to launch the id or the nationality of the person discovered useless inside.
However there was hypothesis that the Polish man was the one discovered useless within the truck on Breitscheidplatz Sq., exterior the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a busy procuring space in west Berlin.
The Scania-made lorry is owned by firm Arial Zurawski, which relies in Gryfino in northwest Poland, and was totally laden with metal, making the heavy lorry much more lethal.
Firm proprietor Mr Zielinski instructed native information channel TVN24 at the moment: 'The truck was getting back from Italy and was in Berlin to unload his cargo within the morning.
'I spoke to him round midday and the whole lot was okay. His spouse then tried to name him at about 4pm however there was no reply. She could not pay money for him.'
He added: 'I can say hand on coronary heart that the person who drove into these individuals within the centre of Berlin was not my driver.
'That is my cousin. I've identified him since I used to be born. My situation is that they did one thing to the driving force – they hijacked this automobile as a result of it was virtually within the centre of Berlin and so they had a superb automobile with which they might do what they did.
'It wasn't my driver, the one which was driving it. They did one thing to my driver, God forbid, one thing critical. It appears to be like like that.'
Mr Zielinski is now being questioned by Polish police, in line with native media.
The arrest fuels fears for the Polish man who was registered as the driving force, as his agency's proprietor stated he had 'whole confidence' he was not behind the wheel throughout the Good-style bloodbath
The destroyed windscreen of a polish truck is seen following the deadly crash which left scores of individuals useless and injured
Police stated on Twitter that they'd taken one suspect into custody and one other passenger from the truck had died because it crashed into individuals gathered round picket huts on the foot of the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church
Rescue staff collect exterior a tent within the space as they continued to deal with victims by means of the night time
The truck that killed 12 individuals and injured 50 because it careered by means of a Christmas market in Berlin had been stolen from a development web site, police have revealed
Forensic groups labored by means of the night time to find out precisely what had occurred, because the demise toll continued to rise
Extra customers had been considered have been trapped beneath the automobile (pictured) because it crashed by means of stalls
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