*At least 9 people were killed and at least 50 others injured when a truck drove into a Christmas market in Berlin in what is Iraqi sources say was a deliberate attack orchestrated by terrorist group ISIS, reports The Washington Times.
According to police, a large black Scania lorry ran into the public square outside the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church on Monday evening. Horrifying pictures show wounded people being treated on the ground and debris from the attack strewn across the road. One witness, Emma Rushton, said the lorry ploughed through the market, adding that people had been crushed.
Police have arrested the driver – said to be of Eastern European appearance by eyewitnesses. A passenger in the truck is reported to have died.
The incident evoked memories of an attack in July in Nice, France, that left 86 people dead. A Tunisian-born man drove a 19-tonne truck along the beach front, striking down people who had gathered to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day. The attack was claimed by Islamic State.
Police said the lorry came from the direction of Budapester Strasse, over the pavement, coming to a halt by a Christmas tree in front of the Gedächtnis Kirche, or Memorial Church. Known locally as the jagged tooth, the church was bombed in the second world war, and left more or less in its ruined state as a memorial to the victims of the war. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Berlin, and very close to the Berlin zoo.
The attack comes on the same day as an off-duty police officer assassinated Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at an art exhibition in Ankara on Monday. According to CNN, the gunman shouted “Do not forget Aleppo!” as he opened fire.
The shooting of Ambassador Andrey Karlov was captured on video. Russia’s foreign ministry described it as a “terror attack.”
Also this afternoon, Swiss police said several people were injured by a gunman at Zurich mosque.
On Twitter, the Zurich police department said: “Large operation after shooting at mosque in the Eisgasse. Several injured. Perpetrator on the run.” It said the situation was under control and the wounded had been taken to hospital.
There were conflicting news reports about whether the shooting had taken place inside a prayer room itself, or outside.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
