Merkel asylum policy blamed for Christmas market attack
At least 12 people died and 48 people were injured when a 32-tonne truck crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin. Police apprehended the suspect stating they believe it was a deliberate attack. The incident brought back memories of the Bastille Day attack in Nice in France this year. The suspect is believed to be a bogus asylum seeker who entered Germany under a false name which has resulted in accusations being thrown at German Chancellor Merkel who is facing political pressure over her open-doors immigration policy. Far-right Alternative for Germany party member Marcus Pretzell tweeted: "These are Merkel's dead! (hash)Nice (hash)Berlin."

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White House condemns 'what appears to have been a terrorist attack'

What we know so far

What we know so far

What we know so far

What we know so far

What we know so far

Assumption is that this was a terror attack – Merkel

Merkel: attack 'particularly repugnant' if carried out by refugee

We’ve started a new blog to cover the latest on the attack and investigation into the Pakistani suspect.

According to De Maizière, the suspect, Naved B, speaks Balochi, one of five regional languages spoken in Pakistan. De Maizière said there had been problems questioning him in the past because no translator could be found who spoke the language.

20 Dec 2016 11.56 GMT Kate Connolly

De Maizière also confirms that the man who has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack has denied the charges.

The arrested man is from Pakistan, and arrived in Germany on 31 December 2015. He arrived in Berlin in February. The suspect spoke a dialect for which no translator could be found, the minister said.

De Maizière says he is not giving much attention to the Isis message claiming responsibility for the attack.

He confirms he will attend the vigil for the victims at 6pm in the memorial church on the square where the attack took place.

De Maizière said police will not rest until they have completed their investigation into the attack.

He urged once again for Christmas markets to remain open, but warned people to remain vigilant. He said it would be “a lovely idea to go to a Christmas market and buy a crib”.