In a horrific incident, a truck crashes into a Christmas market in central Berlin killing at least 12 people and injuring 48 others in what said to be a deliberate attack on Monday night. The crash occurred outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the city’s center. Reportedly, the crowd was of tourists and locals who were enjoying shopping and the traditional festive atmosphere.
The truck’s driver has been detained after a huge effort to escape near the crash scene, as per Winfrid Wenzel, the Berlin police department’s chief spokesperson. A Polish citizen was also in the driver’s cabin but died on the spot.
The owner of the truck was traced in Poland. He said he feared the vehicle might have been high jacked, as per the reports.
Post the incident, the scene was mixed with commotion. Several ambulances lined up facing the church as frantic people looked for their kin among the injured.
The attack crumpled the pre-Christmas calm in Germany. Thousands of residents and tourists spend their early evenings at markets this time of the season, drinking wine, and eating sausages and pastries.
It is yet to be known whether the incident is an act of terror. “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,” U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
“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 have been in touch with German officials, and we stand ready to provide assistance as they recover from and investigate this horrific incident.”
President-elect Donald Trump said the occurrence smacks of an assault driven by anti-Christmas sentiment.
“Innocent civilians were murdered in the streets as they prepared to celebrate the Christmas holiday,” said Trump. “ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad. These terrorists and their regional and worldwide networks must be eradicated from the face of the earth, a mission we will carry out with all freedom-loving partners.”
