New Delhi:
The Islamic State group took the responsibility of Berlin Christmas market attacks that killed atleast 12 and injured dozens. A German police spokesperson told AFP that a man who was apparently driving the truck had been detained while the passenger was dead.
Germany’s top prosecutor, Peter Frank, told reporters the attack on the popular market was reminiscent of July’s deadly truck rampage in Nice and appeared to follow instructions published by the Islamic State group.
Security sources cited by DPA news agency said that the man behind the wheel was an asylum seeker from Afghanistan or Pakistan who arrived in Germany in February.
German authorities said there was no indication of “further dangerous situations in the city near Breitscheidplatz”, where the suspected attack took place. “We are investigating whether it was a terror attack but do not yet know what was behind it,” a police spokesperson said.
Traditional Christmas markets are popular in cities and towns throughout Germany and have frequently been mentioned by security services as potentially vulnerable to attacks. “It’s awful. We were in Berlin for Christmas,” said American tourist Kathy Forbes. “We also thought it would be safer than Paris.”
