Berlin police investigating 'probable terrorist attack'

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.

What we know – 12 dead, 48 injured – driver arrested, nationality not confirmed – truck ‘intentionally’ steered into crowd in suspected terror attack, police – body found in passenger seat identified as Polish national, not the driver

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.

Investigation

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.

“All police measures related to the suspected terrorist attack at Breitscheidplatz are progressing at full steam and with the necessary diligence,“ police said.

Authorities identified a body found in the driver’s 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, ‘He is my cousin, I’ve known him since I was child.” According to the company, the vehicle was loaded with 25 tonnes of metallurgical products from Italy.

The truck is being removed for forensic tests.