German authorities ‘KNEW about plot to attack Berlin Christmas market in the days leading up to tragedy’

AUTHORITIES in Berlin had been made aware in recent days that a Christmas market terror attack was being planned, according to reports.

Following Monday's tragedy, reports in Germany cited security sources claiming a terror attack was being planned at the festive market in the Breitscheidplatz area of the city.

Reporters took to Twitter to share their claims, including Clemens Wergin, the Washington bureau chief for Die Welt.

Just weeks ago the US State Department revealed it had "credible information" that Islamic State and other Islamist terror groups were plotting massacres across Europe over Christmas .

It now appears the terror thugs have acted on their threats.

In recent weeks a UK security source also warned that "the entire continent is vulnerable to attack as we have seen in France, Germany and Belgium but particularly in the run-up to Christmas" in an interview with

They added: "It is a Christian period of festivities, bringing together large crowds of soft target civilians and will attract attention from those who wish to inflict harm."

On Monday night a lorry ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing several and injuring 50 others.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack according to Iraqi sources.

The crash happened in Breitscheidplatz, a major public square in the city in a chilling echo of the deadly terror attack in Nice earlier this year.

In the lead up to Monday's attack, it was feared that brutalised ISIS jihadis from European countries could begin returning home as the ISIS death cult continues to lose territory and suffer more heavy losses in Syria and Iraq.

The radicalised thugs were feared to be plotting atrocities in revenge for the obliteration of its Caliphate.

A US State Department statement said that "citizens should exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets.”