On Monday, a large truck plowed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin killing 12 and injuring 48. Local police confirmed that the truck slammed into holiday goers at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Police have also stated that at first glance it appears to be an intentional attack but that a full investigation is underway. Initial reports said the suspected driver had been arrested near the scene and a passenger alongside them was dead due to wounds, however the AP reported Tuesday that due to “insufficient evidence,” the perpetrator they had in custody has been released.
The incident occurred about 8:30 PM local time.
Mike Fox, a witness at the scene who is a tourist from Birmingham, England, told the AP that the truck missed him by about three meters and slammed through tables and wooden stands. “It was definitely deliberate,” Fox said.
The incident that police are saying is likely a deliberate attack comes just weeks after the US State Department warned that extremists in Islamic groups like ISIS and al-Qaida have were likely to attack using trucks “on the upcoming holiday season and associated events.”
[revad2]
