Donald Trump BLAMES ISIS for Berlin terror attacks and vows to ‘eradicate terrorists from the face of the earth’
DONALD Trump has vowed to "eradicate" terrorists from the "face of the earth" after a lorry ploughed into a Berlin Christmas market killing 12 people and injuring 50.
The US President-elect has blamed the "horrifying terror attack" in the German capital on ISIS and Islamic radical groups - even though officials at the time did not confirm the motive behind the deadly incident.
The crash occurred in Breitscheidplatz - a packed market square in the city - in a chilling echo of the deadly terror attack in Nice earlier this year.
It happened just hours after Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was gunned down in an art gallery in Ankara.
Karlov was shot in the back at an art gallery by an off-duty cop by Mevlut Mert Altinta, a 22-year-old, Turkish policeman, before he was killed after a 15-minute shootout with police.
And three people were shot and injured at an Islamic prayer centre in Zurich, Switzerland, this afternoon.
Trump condemned the attacks, tweeting: "Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is only getting worse. The civilised world must change thinking!"
Later, Trump said in a statement: "Our hearts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims of today's horrifying terror attack in Berlin.
"Innocent civilians were murdered in the streets as they prepared to celebrate the Christmas holiday. ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad.
"These terrorists and their regional and worldwide networks must be eradicated from the face of the earth, a mission we will carry out with all freedom-loving partners."
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Barack Obama, who is currently on holiday, has yet to make a comment but the White House did release a statement confirming the US president was getting the latest updates.
White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price earlier said the US condemned the incident as an apparent terror attack.
He said: "The United States condemns in the strongest terms what appears to have been a terrorist attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, which has killed and wounded dozens."
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also took to Twitter to share his horror at the incident.
"My thoughts & condolences are w/ the people of #Germany following tonight's terrible tragedy in #Berlin, leaving so many dead & injured," he said.
President Francois Hollande said the French people "share in the mourning of the Germans in the face of this tragedy that has hit all of Europe".
Chancellor Angela Merkel described her “mourning” over the horrific scenes in her country’s capital just days before Christmas which she "assumes was a terrorist attack".
Merkel, who has been criticised for allowing in large numbers of migrants, addressed head-on the possibility that an asylum-seeker was responsible.
"I know that it would be particularly hard for us all to bear if it were confirmed that a person committed this act who asked for protection and asylum in Germany," Merkel said. "This would be particularly sickening for the many, many Germans who work to help refugees every day and for the many people who really need our help and are making an effort to integrate in our country."
The motivation behind Monday’s deadly episode remains unclear but it was reported ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, though this is yet to be verified.
It is understood the Berlin market is a regular festive treat for shoppers and includes stands that offer seasonal foods such as bratwurst, sweet waffles, candied fruits as well as mulled wine and homemade eggnog.
In the wake of the attack, Facebook activated a safety check feature for travellers and locals on the social network.
A police cordon remained at the site this morning, though parts of the Christmas market had been re-opened.
Commuters walked quietly past the wooden stalls and Christmas trees in the market, many of which were still lit up with white lights.
White screens were erected around a large part of the area where the articulated lorry came to a stop.
As emergency services prepared to remove the lorry, tributes began to appear nearby.
People laid red candles and flowers, while others wept as they passed the scene.
A glass jar with a white candle inside had a note pinned to it, which read: "I am Berlin for more humanity and sympathy."
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