Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, love and family, but for shoppers at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market in Berlin last night, it turned into a time of tragedy.
The popular annual Christmas market near the Zoologische Garten train station was filled with tourists and last minute shoppers last night when a Lorry was deliberately driven into the busy area, killing nine people and injuring up to 50 others.
German police confirmed that one of the men behind the incident was found dead at the scene, while another, believed to be the driver of the vehicle, has been detained.
It is suspected that the truck was stolen from a construction site in Poland.
The investigations are still ongoing.#Breitscheidplatz— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
In a tweet, authorities said they suspect that the two men stole the vehicle from “a construction site in Poland” and noted that it was still carrying steel beams when it was driven into the market.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has sent its condolences to those affected and said it’s “making urgent enquiries” to determine whether any Australians have been affected.
Overall government advice for Germany remains at “exercise normal safety precautions” and Aussies currently in the destination are being urged to avoid the affected area and to remain “vigilant in public spaces”.
However, Germany is now on high alert with officials asking people to bypass Breitscheidplatz completely and to “stay home”.
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
Emma Rushton, who says she was just a few feet from the Lorry, told Sky News that the truck was travelling at least 40 miles when it crashed into the middle of the market.
“There was no way it could have come off the road and it showed no signs of slowing down.”
Emma Rushton, Witness
No indication of other "dangerous situations" near #Breitscheidplatz, Berlin police say
Latest: https://t.co/Zl0wi8hpCb pic.twitter.com/DcENbCPJ1B
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) December 19, 2016
She continued, saying she was drinking with friends when they heard a “really loud bang”. She then watched on as the vehicle drove “through people and through the stalls”.
Officials are yet to confirm a reason for the attack.
