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Patriarch Kirill extends condolences to Merkel following Berlin attack

A truck rammed into a crowd of Christmas shoppers at a fair in downtown West Berlin at around 8:20 p.m. on Monday

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

© Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia has extended condolences to German Chancellor Angela Merkel over Monday’s lorry attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, which claimed the lives of 12 people.

"I learned with profound grief about the terrorist attack in Berlin, which killed or injured many people who traditionally visit holiday markets ahead of Christmas. Please accept my sincere condolences," said the message posted on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate on Tuesday.

"This crime necessitates absolute condemnation as well as coordinated actions from state, religious and public leaders, all people of good will in order to stop the spread of violence," the patriarch said.

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"The Russian Orthodox Church, many of whose disciples live in Berlin and across Germany, shares the grief of the German people," the message went on.

A truck rammed into a crowd of Christmas shoppers at a fair in downtown West Berlin, on Breitscheidplatz near Kurfurstendamm Street at around 8:20 p.m. on Monday. The truck continued to steamroll ahead for another 80 meters into the market’s territory. As a result, 12 people were killed and 48, some in critical condition, were taken to hospital.

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