Pray4Berlin and #IchBinEinBerliner tributes spread across social media after horror Christmas market ‘terror attack’
AS Germany comes to terms with the aftermath of a suspected terror attack which killed 12 people and injured 50 others at a Berlin Christmas market, messages of solidarity and support have been pouring in from around the world.
Officials are trying to find out the motive behind , when a lorry ploughed into a packed Christmas market at Berlin's Breitscheidplatz - in a chilling echo of the deadly terror attack in Nice earlier this year.
Since the tragedy, social media users have been sending messages of condolences and support using the hashtag #IchBinEinBerliner, which means “I am a Berliner” in German.
The same phrase “I am a Berliner” was used in John F Kennedy’s famous 1963 speech offering solidarity to West Germans before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Many users also posted images of German's national flag colours to pay their respect and used the hashtag #PrayForBerlin.
Accompanied with an illustration of a crying Santa, Twitter user Elise Histoire said: "Christmas magic falls apart and takes a couple of small lights with it."
The city of Nice, Twitter account @VilledeNice, wrote: "The city of Nice and the people of Nice show solidarity with the people of Germany in the face of horror. All our thoughts are with the victims and their families."
But a number of people took to Twitter to condemn the tragedy as a terrorist attack - even though German officials at the time did not confirm the motive behind the deadly attack.
Many also blamed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, even calling for her resignation.
“When will the German rule of law strike back?” tweeted Marcus Pretzell, an MEP for the right wing Alternative for Germany party. “When will this cursed hypocrisy end? It is Merkel's dead!”
Another added: "Wake up, Germans. Reject Merkel, reject ISIS and take a stand in defense of the country you call home."
Meanwhile Donald Trump vowed to “eradicate” terrorists from the “face of the earth” after blaming the “horrifying terror attack” in the German capital on ISIS and Islamic radical groups.
In a statement, the US President-elect said: "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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Chancellor Merkel, who has been criticised for allowing in large numbers of migrants, addressed head-on the possibility that an asylum-seeker was responsible.
She said: "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."
"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 attack 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.
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