Berlin police are investigating as "a probable terrorist attack" the killing of 12 people after a lorry ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin. At least 48 were injured, some seriously, after the vehicle mounted the pavement at about 40mph and crashed into them.
The apparent violent truck assault on Berlin's crowded Breitscheidplatz Christmas market had all the hallmarks of Islamic State terrorism - the same type of semitruck, the same high speed of 40 miles an hour, the same mass of holiday revelers - as the horrific attack on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice last summer.
In both cases, there were multiple deaths and scores of maimed and injured left in their wake.
Berlin police said the crash was intentional and is being investigated as a "presumed terrorist attack."
“In our minds and hearts is the loss and the grief of the people of Berlin, those who died, those who are still recovering, the families who've seen their loved ones harmed or killed" – said the President of the Adventist Church in the Inter-European Region, Mario Brito, who added – "We want to remind them that they are not alone. The Adventist people in Europe and all over the world stand with you, are thinking about you and are praying for you.
We firmly condemn these acts of terror. We cannot accept such disrespect towards human life and human dignity. We abhor such hideous violence. We pray that the Lord may bless us with serenity, concord and peace during this Christmas time"