Swiss offer condolences over Berlin attack

Switzerland’s president Johann Schneider-Amman has said that he is “deeply affected” by an attack in Berlin, which saw a lorry plough into the middle of a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring 48.

German police say they are investigating a “probable terror attack”. The man driving the lorry in the incident, which happened at around 20.14pm local time, one of the market’s busiest times, had been detained.

Schneider-Amman tweeted that ‘our thoughts are with the victims and their families’.

Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter has offered Switzerland’s condolences to his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the government’s chief spokesman André Simonazzi, has said.

Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told reporters in Bern on Tuesday that she was ‘appalled’ and ‘saddened’ by the attack.

The Swiss foreign ministry has updated its travel advice for Germany, saying that people are to keep up to date through the media and follow the advice of the local authorities.

It is not known if any Swiss were affected by the attack.