Absolutely devastating.
At least 9 people were killed and many others injured on Monday evening when a truck crashed into a public square in Berlin.
According to police, the truck ran over the sidewalk at about 40 mph and drove into the crowd around wooden stands into a Christmas market in Breitscheidplatz.
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A police spokesperson said at least 50 pedestrians were injured from the “severe incident.” Video surveillance reportedly showed the vehicle was a tractor-trailer.
Emma Rushton, who was in the market when the truck came through, told CNN she “saw at least 10 people” injured and lying on the ground.
She shared a photo of some of the wreckage on Twitter, posting:
Lorry just ploughed through Christmas market in #berlin. There is no road nearby. People crushed. I am safe. I am safe pic.twitter.com/63iWMmdSKr
— Emma Rushton (@ERushton) December 19, 2016
Rushton said the truck didn’t slow down as it traveled through the area that had no roads, adding:
“There’s no way it was an accident.”
Police did not confirm whether or not the incident was an act of terror, and had no information on the driver — who reportedly died on the spot. The Berlin Police Department‘s Twitter account said:
The background is still unclear. Our #LKA takes the investigations. #Breitscheidplatz
— PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
A suspicious person was arrested near #Breitscheidplatz. Whether it is the driver of the truck, is currently under consideration.
— PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
Currently, there are no indications of further dangerous situations in the city near #Breitscheidplatz.
— PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
The passenger of the truck, who drove to the Christmas market at #Breitscheidplatz, died on the spot.
— PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 19, 2016
Our hearts go out to the victims of this senseless tragedy, and we will continue to update you with more information as this story develops…
[Image via N-TV/CNN.]
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