Berlin Christmas markets to re-open after truck terror attack
BERLIN’S world-famous Christmas markets are likely to re-open less than two days after a truck smashed through stalls into a packed crowd, killing 12 people.
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BERLIN’s world-famous Christmas markets are likely to re-open today, after an unprecedented shutdown caused by the truck attack at the Breitscheidplatz market near the city zoo.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere had ordered the closure of all 60 of Berlin’s markets following the attack on Monday night, although thousands of others across Germany remained open.
Across the capital on Monday, the markets, with their dramatic displays of Christmas lights and rows of wooden huts, were closed, although their lights continued to shine.
A sign at one market read: “For the consideration and solidarity of the victims of the Breitscheidplatz and their relatives we follow the requests of Senator Internal Affairs of Berlin to not open the Christmas market today. Thank you for your understanding.”
The markets, which attract thousands of visitors to buy toys and ornaments and enjoy traditional German food and mulled wine, are one of Berlin’s largest tourist attractions.
The most famous, and Europe’s largest, is the Alexanderplatz market, which boasts an ice-skating rink.
Extra police have been deployed to the markets ahead of their planned opening, with jihadist groups such as Islamic State specifically warning they would target Christmas markets across Europe.
Berliners are expected to throng the markets today as a show of defiance to the terrorists, and Mr de Maiziere said on Tuesday “it would be a nice thing to go to a market and buy a crib”.
The Visit Berlin website has started asking people not to bring backpacks and large bags “due to the current security situation”.
Officials in Italy and France boosted security at their markets including extra police and reinforced barriers, as did officials in some other German cities including Dresden, which immediately started installing concrete barriers to protect visitors from similar attacks.
Originally published as Berlin Christmas markets to re-open after truck terror attack