Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Berlin 'attack' latest: Police tell city's residents to stay at home after lorry kills several at Christmas market

Police also urged people not to 'spread rumours about the event'

Will Worley
Monday 19 December 2016 16:58 EST
Comments
German policemen and rescue workers at the scene where a truck crashed into a Christmas market, close to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin, Germany
German policemen and rescue workers at the scene where a truck crashed into a Christmas market, close to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin, Germany (EPA/MICHAEL KAPPELER)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Berlin police have advised residents to stay at home after a truck ploughed in a Christmas market, killing at least nine people and hurting many more.

The announcement was made on Twitter.

Police also urged people not to "spread rumours about the event".

Officials have said the event will be investigated as a terrorist attack and that they have arrested the driver.

Another person was found dead in the lorry, which was reportedly hijacked as it drove to Germany from Poland.

Chancellor Angela Merkel was being briefed by the Interior Minister and Berlin mayor on the situation, a government spokesman said.

Facebook activated its 'Safety Check' feature so its users in the city could identify as safe to family and friends.

However, police said there were no further indications of "dangerous situations" elsewhere in the city.

The authorties urged people to stay away from the area.

Mike Fox, a tourist from Birmingham, England, told The Associated Press at the scene in Berlin that the large truck missed him by about three meters as it drove into the market, tearing through tables and wooden stands.

"It was definitely deliberate," Mr Fox said, adding that he helped people who appeared to have broken limbs, and that others were trapped under Christmas stands.

Dozens of ambulances lined the streets waiting to evacuate people, and heavily armed police patrolled the area.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in