A usually festive night at the Berlin Christmas Market took a tragic turn after a lorry truck intentionally barged into the busy street of the Berlin Christmas Market, killing 12 people in the process. 48 other civilians were reported to be injured seriously.
Suspected as another work of terrorists, the attack happened on Monday at around 8 pm local time. Multiple witnesses saw how a huge lorry truck suddenly plowed itself in the stalls, sending several shoppers and pedestrians running for their lives while dropping everything else behind. The suspect has been identified as a 23-year-old man; an asylum seeker who is reportedly from Pakistan.
Shandana Durrani, a witness, saw the tragic event happen at a 20 feet distance. "I think everybody thought there was a terrorist attack happening," she told CNN. "People dropped what they were carrying and ran for cover. ... It seemed like the truck just jumped the curb and took a wrong turn and barreled through the crowd."
Police have been informing the public on Twitter about the latest details of the investigation. The driver apparently fled the scene almost immediately but was later caught by the police. Inside the truck authorities found a dead man who was probably the original driver of the truck before it was hijacked. It was confirmed later in the investigation that the dead man inside the lorry was a Polish National and was not responsible for the terrorist attack.
This is not the first time a truck has been used as a medium for a terrorist attack. Last July, a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant used a truck for a terrorist attack in Nice on Bastille Day, killing 86 people in his wake.
Last November, the US State Department has issued a caution for American travelers during the holiday season. Christmas stalls and bazaars are often packed with people, making it a perfect spot for a terrorist attack. Terrorist attacks in Europe have been escalating lately, therefore extreme vigilance and awareness in your surroundings should be exercised.
Such a heartbreaking day for Berlin, as their supposed to be safe leisure stroll in the Christmas market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church ended in such a tragedy. Several countries are now assisting in the investigation of the terrorist attack, and locals and civilians alike are advised to stay indoors until the investigation is over.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
