said west berlin. one eyewitness said they had a big noise and then moved towards the market and so so much chaos. many injured people. this is one person speaking today. it was really traumatic, this eyewitness says. they said that police and ambulance converged on the scene quickly and a huge security operation unfolded. as i say, at this stage the faith of the driver is still not immediately clear. —— the fate of the driver. richard was pointing out that some eyewitnesses saw the driver and lead the cabin and run. the local newspaper, one of the major newspapers, is suggesting that he is on the run and we getting another report that the vehicle was travelling at around a0 mph. 65 kilometres. it doesn't take a genius to understand what kind of damage

that would have caused. ploughing right into a crowded christmas market. it happened in the last hour oi’ market. it happened in the last hour or $0. market. it happened in the last hour or so. a busy time for the market, one of the busiest times, bearing in mind many people have left work and are trying to get a bit of christmas cheer. and of course it all ending in this brutal, horrible way. all these are suggesting that it is nine people who may have died and 50 injured. i see are going through twitter, richard. our name the —— anymore updates? all mains been cast back to nice.

i think that is standing advice that has been there for some time. this is not something that you can protect against, really. this is not something that police all or enforcement agencies anywhere can guard against, the low sophistication attack, which involves nothing more elaborate than a big vehicle. if this is a terrorist attack, i'm sure that other capitals, big cities, other places that draw large gatherings not far from a road will look seriously at whether there are ways they can protect people joining those kinds of gatherings from attack. reports from reuters out of switzerland, a man has stormed into a mosque and opened fire on people praying this evening, three people have been injured. two of the three

men aged 30, 35 and 56 have been injured. two of the three men aged 30,35 and 56 have been seriously injured. this is according to zurich police, a man around the age of 30 years, police said a body was found nearby but could not comment on any link to the shootings while investigations were underway. this happening in zurich. we have this happening in burling, and also in turkey, the assassination of the russian ambassador —— burling. all of this happening in the last 3-a all of this happening in the last 3—a hours. indeed, one struggles to see how it would be linked as part of a plan, if you will, because actually, if this is a terrorist attack, you would imagine the motivation here is

different from what is reported to have happened in zurich, and against likely different what has happened in turkey. even the most committed conspiracy theorist could think this is part of one plan, but the coincidence is extraordinary that these things should happen within hours of each other on the same day. it isa other on the same day. it is a sign of the times, rather appalling. just to bring you up to date for viewers just joining just to bring you up to date for viewersjustjoining us, news coming out of berlin in west berlin, a lorry, a truck has left one of the main roads there and has ploughed into a busy market. police at the moment say that nine people have been killed. at least 50 have been injured. and the driver of this lorry is reported to have fled the scene, and his whereabouts are unknown. a manhunt is obviously underway now. you are looking at

some of the pictures we have been getting through the evening there. a huge security operation. many people, of course, their minds were calling the situation in nice on bastille day earlier this year when a lorry killed people, ploughing into crowds gathering on the seafront in the south of france. 86 people were killed than. perhaps this is in a similar vein. the authorities are treating it as a deliberate attempt to kill and injure people. it was not an accident. they have so far not said that this was a terrorist incident. of course, following nice, which was claimed by islamic state, some might believe that this incident in berlin was a result of islamist activity.

but the authorities have not confirmed that yet. the suspect is still on the run in the area, a huge police operation, obviously. and this large part of west berlin, a fairly swanky area, we understand, is viewing cordoned off. but so far, nine people have died as a result of their injuries in this, and scores have been injured. just to interrupt, the german channel has reported that a suspect has been arrested. i have seen that ina has been arrested. i have seen that in a couple of places, but not officially confirmed by police. media outlets in germany are reporting that somebody has been arrested. as you were saying, we know that the previous reports had said that the driver fled the scene

very quickly and was being actively searched for, well, as i say, a couple of reports saying that the person has been arrested, and at least one channel in germany is saying that it is the driver that has been arrested, but we are waiting for official confirmation on that. it is quite extraordinary, flicking through twitter, how media leak, apart from the horror of what has happened, there is a lot of political argument immediately about whether germany's per door policy to immigrants over the past months —— open—door, this will feed the debate surrounding the upcoming elections in germany next year. indeed, angela merkel coming out in favour of a ban on the wearing of the burke in certain areas. ——

burqa. many suggesting that her coalition could take a battering because of the open—door policy that the german government has employed to refugees, many fleeing the war in syria over the last year or so. but the suggestion that she is backtracking a little bit on that open—door policy in order to shore up open—door policy in order to shore up support for her party as those elections approach. richard lister suggesting that this manhunt for the driver of this track, which apparently left the road, ploughing into a christmas market, killing nine people, injuring at least 50, may be over. we still haven't got confirmation of that from the burling police. eyewitnesses saying that it was a

terrifying experience —— berlin police. the authorities and emergency services on the scene very quickly, of course well versed now in their response to potential terror attacks after several incidents in germany over the last few months, the country of course on a heightened state of alert following those incidents this year. and the authorities now treating this as a deliberate attempt to kill and maim, though they still haven't suggested that this is a terror attack, potentially with islamist connections. richard, any more updates that you can bring us? no, iam

can bring us? no, i am trying to see if there is anything official either from police or emergency services either confirming numbers or confirming what some local media outlets in germany are reporting as the driver being arrested. but as yet, nothing official to confirm any of that. the most commented statement we have had is from the burling fire department, saying that 50 people have been injured. nine people, sadly, appear to have been killed —— berlin fire department. it did not happen that long ago. the truck is still in situ. it may take some time to establish how many people were hit by that truck and how many who were taken to hospital by that truck and how many who were ta ken to hospital subsequently by that truck and how many who were taken to hospital subsequently died stop it may be some time before we get the finalfigures stop it may be some time before we get the final figures of how many we re get the final figures of how many were affected. a police spokesman has told a 2a hour news channel in germany that

they have arrested the suspect. german police, they are suggesting that they have arrested the driver of this truck. in the last hour, one hour and 10—15 minutes or so, left the road in west berlin, and ploughed into a christmas market with many people injured, around 50 we understand, and nine people have been killed. the suggestion from eyewitnesses, taking to twitter and social media, they saw a man leave the cab of this vehicle, running from the scene. a 2a—hour news channel in germany is saying now that german police have arrested this suspect. the police are also tweeting to

local people, "help us in our investigation, stay at home, and do not spread rumours. follow us on twitter for important information". we have to be careful with what we say has been put out on twitter. we do try to confirm and verify as much of the information that we get before we do give it to you. if we do quote twitter, we make it clear that it do quote twitter, we make it clear thatitis do quote twitter, we make it clear that it is from twitter, but as i say the early indications from twitter were that this man has been arrested. now german police are telling a 2a—hour news channel in germany that he is in custody. the state department has now put out an advisory, alerting citizens to be heightened risk of terrorist attacks

throughout europe, particularly during the holiday season. remember, this was a busy christmas market, a very popular one in west berlin. the state department are saying that us citizens should exercise caution at holiday festival, events and outdoor markets. this is their travel alert. it only expires in a couple of months. the state department making it clear that credible information indicates that credible information indicates that islamic state and their affiliates do plan to continue their terror attacks on european soil, with a particular focus, terror attacks on european soil, with a particularfocus, of terror attacks on european soil, with a particular focus, of course, on the upcoming holiday season and associated events. we do not know the nationality of those people who may have died in this attack, we now know that nine people have perished and that death

poll may rise. this was a popular market with tourists, so it could well be that foreigners may have been involved there, as well as sadly local germans at that market. richard lister is with me. a couple of reports, more than a couple, saying that there was a passenger in this truck, a passenger who apparently did not survive crash. certainly he was dead when found. that is somewhat interesting, i would have thought. perhaps it is unusual if this was a terror attack. we are working on what we know from police that they are treating this asa police that they are treating this as a terrorist attack, but i would imagine that would be standard procedure when you have something like this, it is better to treat it as if it were a terrorist attack, maximising public safety by cordoning off the area and so on, then treating it simply as an

accident. we haven't had confirmation that this is a terrorist attack yet, and we haven't had confirmation that there was a second person in that cab of that truck when it crashed, but i have now seen a number of reports from local media saying that they understand that there was a second person in the cab. we arejust second person in the cab. we are just getting now, again from german television, police spokesman saying that the codriver of the truck died during this attack. the codriver of the truck apparently died during this attack. a lot of people suggesting that a man managed to get away and was on foot, fleeing the scene. local police telling german television that he has been arrested. the suggestion seems to be that two

people were involved in this incident. german police quoted on the associated press news agency saying that the driver was arrested near the scene. certainly two people involved. within that gordon. last year, there was a ban on suitcases and backpacks being taken to burling's quizzes market after fears of the possibility of an attack at christmas time. —— berlin's ‘s markets. it wouldn't just be it wouldn'tjust be local people that would be there, there would be lots of tourists as well. germany hosts around 1500 christmas markets every year. an attractive proposition for anyone wanting to

cause mayhem and cause problems at this time of year. just to reiterate once again for those of you joining us and getting this breaking news and it is that a lorry has left the road in a busy pa rt lorry has left the road in a busy part of west berlin, deliberately leaving the road, ploughing into a very busy christmas market by the side of the road. nine people have been killed so far. at least 50 have been killed so far. at least 50 have been injured. eyewitnesses suggesting that this vehicle was travelling at something like a0 miles per hour. there were two people, we think inside the cab. one man made off on foot, who has now been arrested according to german police, who are speaking to local

media. the other person who was inside the vehicle at the time, he a p pa re ntly inside the vehicle at the time, he apparently has died at the scene. these are the latest pictures that we have from berlin. it is extraordinary how i and seeing how many people are saying that they are fine and were at the market. other people tweeting that they know they have friends or family in berlin that went to the market and are they ok, they have not been able to get in touch. this was obviously a crowded event, and these sorts of events happen all over germany. people fly out on short breaks specifically to go to these christmas markets. it would be something that has had a lot of resonance all over europe.

people are familiar with this sort of event and would have been themselves to one of these markets. we are still waiting to find out whether or not police are confirmed in their view that this was a terrorist attack, rather than simply treating it as if it were. i have seen a policeman who was at the scene and saw it happen, saying that he thought, as he watched it, that he thought, as he watched it, that it was being deliberately driven into this crowd. although it is difficult to assess as a bystander seeing an incident like that what was going through the mind of the driver at the time. some britons were at the scene and say that they firmly believe that this was a deliberate attack. while this was a deliberate attack. while this was a deliberate attack. while this was happening, the german chancellor angela merkel is being briefed by the interior ministry, and berlin's mayor following briefed by the interior ministry, and berlin's mayorfollowing the crash. that is according to a

government spokesman. angela merkel being appraised of the situation, the very latest on what is going on there. one assumes that here, in the uk, we are going to have to be on the lookout for this sort thing. in fa ct, lookout for this sort thing. in fact, governments across europe, frankly, in the wake of the situation in the middle east, and various attacks that there have been in germany and france in the last few months and last couple of years. nine people, as i say, confirmed dead, 50 injured. the driver of this truck has been arrested. a codriver, another person that was in that cab, apparently, do died at the scene. police are saying that it was an attack, but don't yet know if this was terror related in some way

linked to islamist extremism. this situation developing quite quickly. police are now confirming that they have many offices at the scene, we can see that. —— officers. this incident happened outside the kaiser memorial church, where you might expect a christmas market, the usual little hearts of people selling gifts —— hots, cards, christmas memorabilia and food, of course. “— christmas memorabilia and food, of course. —— huts. many people will

have been there, they would have left home specifically to see that, would have popped their on the way from work. this was a very popular market with tourists and visitors to berlin. thousands of visitors to the christmas markets, 1500 over any given holiday period across the country. so a very popular spot for people to gather, and clearly also a very soft target for anyone wanting to cause mischief and mayhem there. one little detail which is being widely reported now is that the truck apparently had polish plates, make of that what you will. it really doesn't give us any help as to what exactly happened. lots of speculation about whether the driver of the truck had stolen the truck,

had hijacked the truck, or was actually the original driver of the truck. the fact that it had polish plates doesn't really take us much further forward, it is plates doesn't really take us much furtherforward, it isjust plates doesn't really take us much further forward, it is just one plates doesn't really take us much furtherforward, it isjust one more detail in this. lots of talk about the fact that there was a codriver, certainly someone else in the truck, who apparently did not survive the crash, but may have been killed earlier. a lot of speculation in the absence of any cold, hard facts at the moment. the police have a lot more to do than give us constant updates of what they believe has happened so far. they have confirmed that they are treating this as a terror attack. they have confirmed that they have arrested the person they think is the driver not that farfrom they think is the driver not that far from where the crash took place. i have seen reports that he was arrested close to the zoo in berlin, but they have not yet given us more

information about this person who has been arrested, nor any more information about the person who was found dead in the cab of the truck. there are still reports about shots being fired, but not many shots, one or two. it has not been confirmed, it could have been the noise of something breaking, or the noise of the impact caused by the truck. it will be a while before we have a clearer picture of what has happened. paul ryan, represented paul ryan, the speaker of the house of representatives in the united states says that he has tweeted come and is horrified by the scene in burling. "we stand with germany against terror. " —— berlin. lee doddery is a director at covenant security. thanksjoining us, thanks joining us, lee. thanksjoining us, lee. what are your thoughts on this, the police

not treating this as a terror attack as such, but clearly a deliberate attack to kill and injure. yes, ican attack to kill and injure. yes, i can understand the police being cautious, with it being early, what they put out on the media. behind—the—scenes, they will be looking at this and will be evaluating it as a terrorist incident. unfortunately, it bears the hallmarks of what we saw in france, in nice. also, targeting a christmas market. a very soft target, too. exactly. these crowded places, especially in the festive season, christmas markets have been targeted for a christmas markets have been targeted fora numberof years christmas markets have been targeted for a number of years now. thankfully, a number of those have been disrupted and had less than significant impact. by significant impact. by the looks of things, nine fatalities at the moment, it may be

pa rt of fatalities at the moment, it may be part of the construction of the christmas market with the stalls and other things there that may be prevented this from being a lot worse. backpacks and large bags have been banned from christmas markets in germany because of the possibility of some kind of terror attack. it is difficult to legislate against a vehicle coming off the road and ploughing right into a soft target like this. apart from actually banning the markets themselves. you are absolutely right. there is only one safe measure to prevent such a vehicle attack, and that is what we call recognise hostile vehicle measurements. something that is designed to stop vehicles at speed, especially larger vehicles. it is quite hard to put measures in place to stop such vehicles from

attacking. in the uk we have the national barrier asset that we can deploy, but that is predominantly only done at preplanned events or if there is intelligence to indicate that there is a high threat to that location. this is the kind of incident, because it is so easy, potentially, to get hold of a heavy vehicle and cause this type of damage and cause these types of problems, one assumes that the bodies here in the uk must be wary of this kind of assault. absolutely. if we try this together with the rhetoric coming out from isis over the last few months, what is termed households terrorism, rather than firing weapons, you can get keys and vehicles, it is a broad range of threats that we would have to defend against. again, you have

to defend against. again, you have to balance the security with everyday living, especially at this time of year, people going to christmas markets and enjoying the season, itjust adds christmas markets and enjoying the season, it just adds to the security. but also people need to be more aware when they are out and about. lee, if one is a simple punter, and not a heavy goods driver with that kind of license, how difficult is it to get your hands on the kind of vehicle, the kind of weight of vehicle, the kind of weight of vehicle that could cause this kind of problem? normally come on a standard licence, you can drive quite a decent sized vehicle. again, the speed and the weight of the vehicle, it they are very ha rd weight of the vehicle, it they are very hard to stop, even 7.5 tonne smaller trucks, the kind of thing that people use for home removals, you can get that on a normal driving licence, they can create mayhem. anything large, and a hgv, they are

harder to get hold of. these vehicles being used, how can we legislate against people using those? germany on a high state of alert after a series of terror incidents. the uk on a heightened state of alert as well. these are the times we live in, it is difficult to police everywhere. at some point, i suppose, the terrorists, if they are determined enough, they are going to get through. unfortunately, yes. this is where we rely on members of the public reporting any concerns that they have whatsoever. as we say, with the threat from a lone wolf, an individual that decides, and is self radicalised... lee, iam decides, and is self radicalised... lee, i am sorry, i decides, and is self radicalised... lee, iam sorry, i had decides, and is self radicalised... lee, i am sorry, i had to interrupt, thank you forjoining us. you are

watching bbc news. welcome to outside source. we will begin in berlin where a truck has been driven into a christmas market. these are live pictures coming in to us these are live pictures coming in to us here. at least nine people have been killed and at least 50 others have been injured and police suspect it was a deliberate attack. we will have ongoing coverage. we will also report from turkey were earlier the russian ambassador was assassinated atan art russian ambassador was assassinated at an art gallery in ankara. the gunmen shouted about aleppo after the attack. we will have the latest. and we are working to gather the latest information from berlin. that is the hash tag to use.