Berlin Christmas Market reopens as Santa’s sleigh soars above cheering crowd after terror attack killed 12
Locals came out in force to celebrate the festive season despite their recent tragedy
BERLIN may still be reeling from Monday's tragedy - but locals came out in force last night to mark the magnificent reopening of its Christmas market.
Santa soared above cheering crowds, confirming that the festive attraction was once again fully open for business despite 12 people losing their lives in the truck terror attack earlier this week.
Hundreds turned out to see Santa, who managed to soar above the crowd thanks to a zip-line.
After the festive stunt, Father Christmas then came down to pose for pictures with revellers.
The market had been closed since Monday's terror attack, when Tunisian terrorist Anis Amri - who pledged allegiance to Islamic State - drove a truck through it.
However it partially reopened on Thursday, and is now fully open.
Martin Dubie, a mulled wine seller at the market, recalled the moment of the attack.
He said: "I heard this huge crash and then people started to run past, screaming ‘attack, attack, attack’.
"I ran around the corner to see if I can help, there were injured people and bodies everywhere.
"It’s good that we have reopened now. We have to stay here, we have to stand together."
As well as 12 dying, 50 were injured - 14 of whom were in a serious condition following the disaster.
To prevent a similar attack, local authorities had bollards installed to prevent vehicles of any kind be able to enter the market.
There has also been a major police presence throughout the city following the attack.
Britta, a candle seller at the market, said: "We had a very heavy police presence before, more than I’ve ever seen, and still it happened.
"So now we wait to see if something else will happen.
"I think the government has to change some things.
"Refugees are welcome, always, but if they get investigated and if they break the law, they have to leave immediately. To be criminal is criminal, so go."
Amri, 24, was shot dead by quick-thinking cops in the Italian city of Milan on Friday morning during a routine security check.
In a video recorded before the attack, Amri is seen in a video saying: "My message to crusaders bombing Muslims everyday… Their blood will not go in vain.
"We are a nation behind them and will take revenge for them."
Authorities believe the 22 calibre gun used by Amri before he was shot dead on Friday could be the same one used to shoot dead Polish trucker Lukasz Urban on Monday night.
The body was identified using fingerprints - which were also found in the truck that carried out Monday night's atrocity in the German capital.
German authorities confirmed they are still working to confirm whether he had any accomplices.