Berlin Market Truck Crash Kills 9, 2 Suspects Neutralized

One terror suspect dead, the second in custody following Monday evening attack

berlin truck crash
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A truck crashed into the Berlin Christmas Market on Monday evening, with authorities assuming a terrorist attack.

According to local newspaper Berliner Zeitung, the truck plowed into the market at Breitscheidplatz in Charlottenburg. The Berlin Police tweeted that at least nine people are dead and 50 are injured.

A police man who witnessed the incident told the publication that “it looked deliberate.”

The truck with a Polish license plate came from Budapest Street und drove onto the sidewalk, continuing for 164 feet to 262 feet until it came to a standstill. Authorities cleared the Christmas market and a spokesperson for the local police department said there could be a gas leak.

A police officer told Berliner Morgenpost that at least two people were in the truck when it hit the market. After the truck came to a stop, both allegedly jumped out and fled. However, the Berlin Police tweeted that one suspect was found in the truck and is deceased.

A spokesman for the police department told Berliner Zeitung that they arrested a suspect believed to have driven the truck at the Victory Column in the Tiergarten district. They have no update on motive or background of the suspect. The department tweeted that it is not yet clear whether the suspect was connected to the attack.

According to Spiegel Online, truck carrier Ariel Z. did an interview with Polish outlet TVN24, saying that his cousin was driving the truck. Ariel Z. last spoke to his cousin around noon but couldn’t imagine that he would do anything like this, so he assumes that his truck was stolen. The driver’s wife couldn’t reach her husband after 4 p.m. The truck was loaded with steel.

In July of this year, a cargo truck plowed down a street in Nice, France, as crowds had gathered to celebrate French National Day gathered along the Riviera city’s Promenade des Anglais to watch a fireworks display.

At least 84 people had been killed, with over 200 injured. ISIS took responsibility for the attack.

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