Update: Berlin police have updated the number of people killed in today’s attack:
BREAKING: Berlin police raise death toll to 12 after truck rams into Christmas market; 48 injured.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 20, 2016
There is also a report that the driver of the truck was a refugee:
#BREAKING: #Berlin truck driver reportedly was refugee from #Pakistan: https://t.co/GZzJ8bg8NI
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 19, 2016
Update: Trump’s statement on the attack:
Trump calls incident in Berlin "horrifying", says terror groups "must be eradicated from the face of the earth" pic.twitter.com/ru7lW71hDQ
— Chris Snyder (@ChrisSnyderFox) December 19, 2016
Update: U.S. issues statement condemning apparent terror attack. From the Guardian:
The United States condemns in the strongest terms what appears to have been a terrorist attack on a Christmas Market in Berlin, Germany, which has killed and wounded dozens. We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those killed, just as we wish a speedy recovery to all of those wounded. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Germany. We have been in touch with German officials, and we stand ready to provide assistance as they recover from and investigate this horrific incident. Germany is one of our closest partners and strongest allies, and we stand together with Berlin in the fight against all those who target our way of life and threaten our societies.
Update: From CNN, this is being investigated as a terror attack though that conclusion has not been reached yet:
The Berlin Christmas market truck crash is now being investigated as an act of terrorism https://t.co/yjdcLDMi2K https://t.co/kJJHqQeJbc
— CNN (@CNN) December 19, 2016
Update: From the Berlin police:
The background is still unclear. Our #LKA takes the investigations. #Breitscheidplatz
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
A suspicious person was arrested near #Breitscheidplatz. Whether it is the driver of the truck, is currently under consideration.
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
The passenger of the truck, who drove to the Christmas market at #Breitscheidplatz, died on the spot.
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
Please help us. Stay home and do not spread rumors. Follow us here for important information. #Breitscheidplatz
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
[End update]
Nine people have been killed and at least 50 injured in what police are now saying looks like an attack similar to the one that took place in Nice, France earlier this year.
BREAKING: Berlin police say 9 killed, many injured when truck slams into Christmas market.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 19, 2016
Witness Emma Rushton described the scene to Sky News, “We heard a really loud bang and saw some of the Christmas lights to our left started to be pulled down. And then we saw the articulated vehicle going through people and through the stalls and just pulling everything down and then everything went dark.” She added, “There was lots of screaming, there were lots of people yelling.”
Witness Emma Rushton tells Sky News about a truck 'attack' at a crowded Christmas market in Berlin https://t.co/QVYtoKaRvK
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 19, 2016
German police are saying this appears to be an attack though they have yet to identify a motive. Fox News is reporting that there were two people inside the truck:
Report: Truck driver arrested; passenger dead. #Berlin pic.twitter.com/dXTuQteyIR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 19, 2016
The driver of the truck fled the scene but Reuters is now reporting a suspect has been arrested:
BREAKING: German police arrest driver suspected of plowing truck into crowd at Christmas market in Berlin: police spokesman on local TV
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 19, 2016
In November the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Europe, suggesting people be especially wary of areas where large crowds gather:
“Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL the U.S. gov’t acronym for ISIS or Da’esh), al-Qaeda, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events,” the travel advisory read.
The State Department urged travelers to avoid large crowds and exercise caution at tourist sites, festivals, large holiday events and outdoor markets. The agency also warned that these attacks can come with little or no warning
A similar attack took place in Nice, France on July 14th. A driver later identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel killed 86 people by driving a truck through a crown of people watching fireworks on Bastille Day. Lahouaiej-Bouhlel was shot and killed by police while still inside the truck.
There was also a similar attack at Ohio State University last month.
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