Breaking News – Berlin Terror Attack: At Least Nine Dead, 50 Injured As Truck Ploughs Into Crowd at Christmas Market

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Berlin Terror Attack

Terror attack feared in Berlin as lorry ploughs through Christmas market killing at least two people
Terrified market-goers have tweeted panicked images from the scene of the incident which comes an hour after the Russian ambassador was shot dead in Ankara
A 'terror attack' is feared in Berlin after a lorry reportedly ploughed through a Christmas market killing at least two people.

Terrified market-goers have tweeted panicked images from the scene of the incident which comes an hour after the Russian ambassador was shot dead in Ankara.

Via telegraph.co.uk

At least nine dead, 50 injured at Berlin market
Suspect arrested at Victory Column, co-driver dead
Police indicate incident is likely to be terror related
Attack occurred at Breitscheidplatz, outside the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Atruck ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in the German capital Berlin on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring up to 50 others.

According to local police, the first indications pointed to a terrorist attack on the market, situated at the foot of the ruined Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church.

Watch | Shocking aftermath of Berlin christmas market ploughed by lorry00:57

The incident evoked memories of an attack on Nice in France in Julywhen Tunisian-born man drove a 19-tonne truck along the beach front, mowing down people who had gathered to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day, killing 86 people. The attack was claimed by Islamic State.

Everyone needs to be prepared for that. Unfortunately, another world war is inevitable. You better weapon-up and start studying about food preservation and which foods to start stockpiling on.

The truck careered into the Berlin market at what would have been one of the most crowded times for the Christmas market, when adults and children would be gathering in the traditional cluster of wooden huts that sell food and Christmas goods.

"I heard a big noise and then I moved on the Christmas market and saw much chaos…many injured people," Jan Hollitzer, deputy editor in chief of Berliner Morgenpost, told CNN. "It was really traumatic."

Police cars and ambulances converged quickly on the scene as a huge security operation unfolded. The fate of the driver of the truck was not immediately clear, but Bild newspaper said he was on the run

8:51pm

Angela Merkel receives briefing

Reuters are reporting that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is currently being briefed by the interior minister.

8:47pm

Facebook safety check activated

Facebook has activated its 'Safety Check' feature which allows people who are in the affected area to check-in as "safe". The social media site has already declared the event as a "terrorist attack", before the police.

8:43pm

Suspect arrested, co-driver dead

A co-driver in the lorry is dead, according to Germany's N24 TV.

The same channel is also confirming reports that a suspect has been arrested.

8:38pm

Suspect arrested?

According to a German journalist, Berlin police have arrested a suspect at Victory Column, a major tourist attraction in the city. Police have not officially confirmed this.

8:20pm

Did German intelligence fear an attack?

German intelligence have been intercepting indications of a possible attack on a Christmas market in Berlin for several days, Welt newspaper is claiming

8:15pm

Is driver still on run?

According to unverified reports the driver of the lorry has not yet been apprehended, as police launch manhunt.

Paramedics treat the injured in Berlin following the attack CREDIT: REUTERS

8:06pm

'Several dead, 50 injured'

According to local police, at least 50 people have been badly injured and several people have died.

Local media, citing police at the scene, said first indications pointed to an attack on the market, situated near the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm avenue and at the foot of the ruined Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church that was kept as a ruin after World War Two.

The incident evoked memories of an attack in France in July when Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a 19-tonne truck along the beach front, mowing down people who had gathered to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day, killing 86 people.

Police shot the driver dead in the Nice attack claimed by Islamic State.

Television pictures from Berlin showed the truck standing amid debris by small wooden stalls that make up the "Christkindlmarkt" of which there are several in Berlin at this time of year. Police cars and ambulances converged on the scene.

7:57pm

Lorry travelling at 40mph – and wasn't slowing down

Eyewitnesses say the incident does not look like an accident.

Emma Rushton, who was at the market wrote on Twitter:

We were enjoying the Xmas lights and mulled wine. We were sat, ready to get up,we heard a loud bang, we saw to our left Xmas lights torn down and we saw the top of an articulated lorry crashing through the stalls and through people.

We wanted to get out as soon as possible. We wanted to get to a safe place. From my opinion, it was going at 40mph, there was no road nearby and no signs it was slowing down. It did not feel like an accident. There was no way it could have come off like an accident, it was through the middle of the market. The story where mulled wine was being served was crushed. I saw people bleeding, lying in the pavement.