Truck plows into German Xmas market, several dead

At least 12 people have been killed and over 48 others injured after a truck drove into a Christmas market in the German capital Berlin.

Police and ambulances rushed to Breitscheidplatz, a major public square in the inner city of Berlin, on Monday where a truck plowed as far as 80 meters in to the busy market, in a move which was reminiscent of the attack on the French Riviera city of Nice in July.

"I don't want to use the word 'attack' yet, although there are many things pointing to one," said German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. However, according to unconfirmed reports, the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack on twitter.

An Australian tourist gave her account of the incident to reporters, stressing that there was “blood and bodies everywhere.” "I just saw this huge black truck speeding through the markets crushing so many people and then all the lights went out and everything was destroyed,” Trisha O'Neill said.

"I could hear screaming and then we all froze. Then suddenly people started to move and lift all the wreckage off people, trying to help whoever was there," she added.

According to the police, the driver of the truck has been detained and its passenger was killed during the incident.

Unconfirmed reports said that the driver was a refugee from either Afghanistan or Pakistan who arrived in the country earlier in the year.

The Polish owner of the truck has also announced that the lorry’s driver has gone missing. "We haven't heard from him since this afternoon. We don't know what happened to him. He's my cousin, I've known him since I was a kid. I can vouch for him," said Ariel Zurawski.

A few hours after the incident, German police announced that there was no indication of "further dangerous situations in the city.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted to the incident by tweeting, "We mourn the dead and hope that the many people injured can be helped."

In response to the incident, France bolstered security measures in its own Christmas markets.

"The French share in the mourning of the Germans in the face of this tragedy that has hit all of Europe," said French President Francois Hollande.

The US referred to the incident as an apparent "terrorist attack" while vowing unwavering support for the country.

"Germany is one of our closest partners and strongest allies, and we stand together with Berlin in the fight against all those who target our way of life and threaten our societies," said White House National Security spokesman Ned Price in a statement.

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