Berlin, Germany, may have been struck by terrorists on Monday.

A truck crashed into the capital city’s popular Christmas market, causing multiple injuries and at least 12 fatalities, reports indicate. The driver of the truck apparently has been arrested and a passenger inside the truck was killed. The nature and location of the incident point to the work of religiously motivated terrorists. German news outlets have reported the suspect entered the country as a refugee from Pakistan early this year. 

In November, the State Department issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens, specifically warning them about the danger to Christmas markets.

The possible use of a truck as a weapon echoes the Islamic terrorist attack in Nice, France, while Christmas markets, an old and popular tradition in Germany, have been singled out as potential “soft” targets for terrorism.

In November, the State Department issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens, specifically warning them about the danger to Christmas markets.

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“The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. U.S. citizens should exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets,” the warning read.

“Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da’esh), al-Qaida, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events,” it continued.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that a 12-year old Iraqi in Germany is under investigation by authorities for planting a bomb at a Christmas market.