By COLlive reporter
Chabad Rabbis rushed on Monday night to the Breitscheidplatz public square in the inner city of Berlin, Germany, upon hearing that Jews might be at the site of a suspected terror attack.
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal and Rabbi Shmuel Segal were attending a communal event when they heard the news that a truck had plowed into a crowded market, killing 9 people and injuring many more.
The market is at Breitscheidplatz, close to the Kurfuerstendamm, the main shopping street in the city’s west. Many residents and tourists were there to celebrate the seasonal holiday.
As emergency vehicles filled the area, Berlin police said they had “no indications of further dangerous situations in the city near #Breitscheidplatz,” according to the BBC.
A suspicious person was arrested nearby, policy said. Berlin State Interior Minister Andreas Geisel said it was still unclear if it had been a terror attack or an accident.
Recording a video to families of Israelis who were said to be at the scene at the time of the attack, Rabbi Teichtal said: “It is unclear whether there are Israelis or Jews among the victims.”
Rabbi Teichtal said he spoke to police officials at the command post and remains in contact with them for further updates. “We are making efforts to make contact with anyone who was said to be at this place at the time,” he said.
Rabbi Teichtal added that “our hearts are with the families of the victims.”
British tourist Emma Rushton was at the market on Breidscheidplatz when a truck plowed into the stalls, the BBC reported.
She said it did not seem like an accident, and that the vehicle had driven into the market with “no signs of slowing down.”
The NYPD released the following statement following the attack:
“As many of you may already know, there were events earlier today resulting in fatalities and injuries in: 1) Ankara, Turkey, 2) Zurich, Switzerland and 3) Berlin, Germany.
“We continue to monitor these events for any potential impact they may have for New York City. Help keep New York City safe. Remember, if you see something, say something.”
