Nice 2?: Truck slams into Christmas market in Berlin, killing at least nine

[MikeWB]

 — A truck slammed into a Christmas market in central Berlin on Monday night, killing at least nine people and injuring many others in what police said was a deliberate attack.

The incident took place at an outdoor market near Berlin's Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, German media reported. A suspect was arrested at the scene, according to the Associated Press and German media.

A large Christmas tree with a gold star on top was toppled over nearby in the street.

The scene was laced with chaos. Dozens of ambulances lined up in front of the church and police are letting just a few media through to the scene at a time. At least one woman could be seen getting treatment in the back of an ambulance.

The attack shattered the pre-Christmas calm in Germany, a time when thousands of locals and tourists spend their early evenings at markets, drinking Gluck (mulled wine), and eating sausages and pastries. The markets were due to finish on Friday.




Police say it is too early to tell if the incident has links to terror.

"People crushed. I am safe. I am safe," tweeted an apparent witness, Emma Rushton.

Video footage from the scene shows stalls knocked over and people lying injured on the ground.

Berlin police put the death toll at nine, the Associated Press reported.

In July, dozens of people were killed in Nice, France, when a truck slammed into a large crowd during Bastille Day celebrations. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning last month that Americans in Europe should be vigilant to the threat of terrorist attacks during the holiday season. The alert specifically mentioned Christmas markets.