CHRISTMAS MARKET, SEVERAL FATALITIE...............

Police have confirmed that at least nine people were killed in an apparent attack by a truck at a Berlin Christmas market. A suspect has been taken into custody. Read the latest here.
Deutschland Polizei geht von Anschlag auf Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt aus (Reuters/F. Bensch)
The incident occurred on the Breitscheidplatz square, near the location of Berlin's iconic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church along the Kurfürstendamm shopping mile. Nine people are reported to have died as a result of the attack; however, unconfirmed reports state that there may be more fatalities. Up to 50 people have been reported as injured.
Deutschland Neun Tote und viele Verletzte auf Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt (Google Earth)
The police are treating the incident as an apparent terror attack. The driver of the truck has now been arrested after fleeing the scene earlier. A person in the passenger seat was reportedly killed. The police have asked the public to cooperate with the investigation.
2245 UTC The dead passenger in the truck was Polish, police said. The Polish owner of the truck, Ariel Zurawski, told TVN 24 television that his cousin worked for him and that he couldn't reach him since 16:00. He told the broadcaster there was no way his cousin carried out the attack. "Something must have been done to him," Zurawski said. The nationality of the suspected driver in custody is still unknown.
2218 UTC - DW's Brigitta Schülke reporting live from central Berlin speaks to a Syrian refugee: "I escaped war, felt secure. Can't believe that it happened in Berlin."
2214 UTC - Police tell people to avoid nearby Rankestrasse after the discovery of a suspicious item there.
2209 UTC - France announces it will beef up security at Christmas markets after the Berlin truck crash event.
2207 UTC - DW's Kyra Levine has more images from the cordoned-off section of the Christmas market - @KyraGermany:
2204 UTC - Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church will hold a memorial service tomorrow at 6pm local time (1700 UTC).
2202 UTC - The Berlin police department will hold a new conference tomorrow at 1pm local time (1200 UTC) with updates on the investigation.
2156 UTC - Berlin's BVG public transport system reports cancelations on several bus lines following the incident.
2150 UTC - DW's Kyra Levine is tweeting live from the scene, where police have cordoned off large sections of the Christmas market - @KyraGermany:
2144 UTC - German daily newspaper "Bild" reports that police are investigating whether the truck might have been stolen.
2138 UTC - Berlin Police tweet phone number to check on missing persons and related questions: 030/54023 111
2133 UTC - Berlin State Interior Minister says the investigation into the truck crash is still unfolding, stressing that it could be an accident.
2129 UTC - Public transport on Berlin subway has reportedly not been affected by the events, despite two underground stations being located nearby.
2118 UTC - French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault expresses his "complete solidarity with our German friends."
2117 UTC - Police are asking the public to refrain from sharing videos online from the scene of the attack.
2111 UTC - The investigation has been referred to Germany's Federal Prosecutor General.
2109 UTC - The truck that ploughed into the crowd in Berlin is reported to have a Polish license plate.
2101 UTC - German government spokesman Steffen Seibert tweets: "We mourn the dead and hope that the many wounded can be saved."
2058 UTC - German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has pledged federal police will provide "any necessary assistance."
2054 UTC - Deutsche Welle reporter Kyra Levine is tweeting live from the scene. - @KyraGermany
2052 UTC - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been briefed on the situation by Interior Ministry officials.
2051 UTC - Berlin Mayor Michael Müller says the situation is under control.
2049 UTC - German news channel N24 says the person in the passenger seat of the attack truck was reportedly killed.
2046 UTC - Suspect under arrest is alleged to be the driver of the truck; however, police have not confirmed this.
2043 UTC - Facebook has activated its safety check feature.
2036 UTC - A suspect has been arrested according to a police source.
2035 UTC - Germany's DPA news agency reports the Scania-brand truck managed to plough up to 80 meters (260 feet) into the crowd at the Christmas market.
2033 UTC - Police have asked for people to stay indoors to assist with unfolding investigation.
2006 UTC - Berlin police confirm tally of nine fatalities.

Deutschland Polizei geht von Anschlag auf Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt aus (Reuters/F. Bensch)
ss, cw/cmk, rc (dpa, Reuters, AP, AFD, epd)

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