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Truck crashes into crowd of people at Berlin Christmas market leaving 9 dead

Nine people were killed at Berlin Christmas market, according to the police official Twitter account

© AP Photo/Michael Sohn

A truck plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German capital Berlin on Monday evening killing nine people, the police said.

Just now a truck drove over the sideway at #Breitscheidplatz. Our colleagues report injured people. More information here.
— Polizei Berlin (@polizeiberlin) 19 December 2016

According to a spokesperson of Berlin Fire Department, dozens (up to 50) people may be injured. The driver of the truck with Polish number plates fled the scene.

A suspicious person was arrested near #Breitscheidplatz. Whether it is the driver of the truck, is currently under consideration.
— PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) 19 December 2016

Later the authorities reported a suspect has been detained.

Truck drives into a crowded Christmas Market in #Germany's #Berlin.
Many people injured. Many unconscious on the ground. Reports of a shot.
— Polla Garmiany (@PollaGarmiany) 19 December 2016

The incident happened at one of Berlin’s most popular Christmas markets, located in the western Charlottenburg district. It is also close to the city’s key shopping street, Kurfuerstendamm, and a famous tourist attraction - Memorial Church.

Russia’s Rosturizm tourism agency has received no information about Russian nationals injured in the suspected attack at a Berlin Christmas market, the agency’s press service says.

"The Federal Agency for Tourism recommends the Russian tourists staying in Germany to be on alert, observe security measures and avoid congestion places."

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