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Berlin police investigating 'probable terrorist attack'
Berlin police investigating âprobable terrorist attackâ
Berlin police investigating âprobable terrorist attackâ
It was a deliberate act. Hours after a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin, police are saying the driver did so intentionally in a suspected terrorist attack.
driver arrested, nationality not confirmed
truck âintentionallyâ steered into crowd in suspected terror attack, police
body found in passenger seat identified as Polish national, not the driver
Bavarian politician and ally to Angela Merkel, Horst Seehofer says Germany must change immigration and security policy after Mondayâs attack in Berlin.
It is another blow for Merkel, who is already fighting off threats from the far-right AFD, and has stood by her liberal immigration policy since the European migrant and refugee crisis began.
German broadacaster NTV says the suspect, named in German media as Naved B, has denined involvement in the attack.
He was arrested 2km from the Breitscheidplatz, after a witness apparently followed him and called the police.
Chancellor Merkel says it would be âhard to bearâ if the person responsible for the attack was a refugee or that âsomeone who sought protection and asylumâ.
Merkel has been a staunch supporter of Germanyâs policy of housing refugees and migrants who have come to Europe. However she is under pressure from the right-wing, anti-immigration AFD party. In response, Merkel recently advocated for a ban on all full-face coverings, such as the Burqa, a form of Islamic female clothing.
Angela Merkel, speaking to the media in Berlin, announces that the German security council will meet in 30 minutes to discuss what they know, and will continue to meet when needed.
Merkel will then visit the Breitscheidplatz later this afternoon, along with Interior minister Thomas de MaiziÚre.
Merkel said âWe do not want to live in fear. Even if itâs difficult right now, we will find the strength to live our lives the way we want to in Germany- Open and freeâ.
The European Commission will hold a moment of silence for the 12 victims of Mondayâs attack, at midday in Brussels.
Christmas markets in Berlin will remain closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the victims of Mondayâs attack.
The Interior ministry says other markets and Christmas celebrations will continue across Germany, though increased security measures will be put in place.
Police in London and around the UK are reviewing security plans for the Christmas and New Yearâs period following this attack in Berlin, and the assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey in Ankara.
The Metropolitan Police in London describe the threat level as âsevereâ, meaning an attempted attack is âhighly likelyâ.
Interior minister of the state of Brandenburg (where Berlin is located) has told German magazine Focus Online that one victim, though to be the Polish man found inside the lorry, was shot dead.
Karl Heinz Schroeter was quoted as saying the Polish driver was a victim, not a perpetrator.
At least 12 people were killed and 48 injured when the lorry crashed into people gathered around wooden huts serving mulled wine and sausages on Monday evening.
Previously Interior Minister Thomas de Maziere said there were indications that the incident was an attack.
Police arrested a suspect, which German news agency reports as an Afghan or Pakistani asylum seeker, though there is no official confirmation of his identity.
âAll police measures related to the suspected terrorist attack at Breitscheidplatz are progressing at full steam and with the necessary diligence,â police said.
Authorities identified a body found in the driverâs cab as a Polish citizen.
Police are investigating leads that the truck was stolen from a construction site. The owner of the truck confirmed the driver had been unreachable since Monday afternoon. The owner, Ariel Zuwaski told AFP newsagency, âHe is my cousin, Iâve known him since I was child.â According to the company, the vehicle was loaded with 25 tonnes of metallurgical products from Italy.
The UK Foreign office issued the following advice to British travellers:
âThere is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places visited by foreigners. The German government has announced that increased security has been put in place as a precaution at public buildings, major events, transport hubs and large public gatherings.
There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.â