Several killed as truck ploughs into crowd at Berlin Christmas market

A truck has run into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin's centre, with reports of 9 people killed and up to 50 injured. German media said police at the scene believe first indications were that the incident was a deliberate attack but this has not been officially confirmed.

The vehicle ploughed into the seasonal market outside the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Monday evening, according to the Berliner Zeitung newspaper and the Berliner Morgenpost.

Damaged tables and stalls could be seen in video footage posted by the Morgenpost, with many injured lying on the ground. "Police confirm that a truck ploughed into a Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin-Charlottenburg," the newspaper stated.

A reporter described it as a "gruesome scene".

The Berliner Zeitung said police believed there to be multiple injuries, but officials have yet to confirm this. Witnesses said victims were crushed by the truck.

Police have evacuated the Christmas market and sealed off the area. Officials have also set up a special area for the relatives of the wounded.