Police are hunting the driver of the lorry that ploughed into a busy Christmas market in Berlin as Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
The terrorist group said one of its "soldiers" carried out Monday evening's deadly crash "in response to calls for targeting citizens of the crusader coalition".
It comes as officers released without charge the only person arrested over the atrocity - a Pakistani asylum seeker.
Prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to link him to the rampage in which 12 people were killed in the German capital.
The decision to free him means the main suspect, who is believed to be armed, is still on the loose.
Witnesses were able to follow the truck's driver from the scene but lost track of the perpetrator.
The arrested man, who denied any involvement, matched descriptions of the driver, according to prosecutors.
But investigators have not been able to prove he was in the truck's cab at the time of the crash.
German publication Welt earlier quoted officers as saying of the detained asylum seeker: "We have the wrong man.
"The real culprit is still armed, at large and can cause new damage."
Ariel Zurawski, the owner of the company which operated the truck, said the original driver, Lukasz Urban, 37, who was also his cousin, was found stabbed and shot in the passenger seat.
He said the lorry had gone to Berlin loaded with steel beams and that it must have been hijacked.
GPS data found several apparent attempts to move the lorry in the afternoon before the attack, Mr Zurawski told TVN.
The gun used to shoot Mr Urban has not been recovered.
Officers said they did not find any of the dead man's blood on the man they arrested, who was reportedly named Naved B and arrived in Germany in December last year.
He was staying at a refugee centre in Berlin and was detained near the scene of the crash in Breitscheidplatz.
Witnesses described the truck ploughing through wooden huts serving hot wine and food, sending people flying.
Six of the dead have been confirmed as Germans, while work continues to identify the others. One of the victims is feared to be an Italian woman.
Forty-eight people were injured, and 18 remain in a serious condition.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has laid white roses at the scene, said she was "shocked, shaken and deeply saddened" by the attack - one of a number in Germany this year. She later attended a memorial service.
Under her leadership the country has pursued a liberal policy on welcoming asylum seekers.
Security at 10 markets in Manchester has been increased after events in the German capital, and police in London are also reviewing arrangements for Christmas and New Year events.
West Midlands Police said they were reviewing security measures and increasing visible patrols in Birmingham, and had a team of officers for the Christmas German market.
It comes five months after 86 people died in Nice when a truck mowed people down on the French city's seafront.
Follow The Forefront on:
> facebook Nigerian audience
> The Forefront on Twitter
>BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT}
> The Forefront on Twitter
>BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT}
Share this post with others on social media with options below.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer!!! Opinions expressed in comments do not represent THE FOREFRONT MEDIA NG's views. All participants are entitled to their opinions. Thank you!!!
Advertise on the Forefront: For advert placement in the blog or advert posts like news updates, reach +2348124620827 [WhatsApp].
Copyright 2023 The Forefront Media Ng. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The Forefront Media Ng