GERMANY has tonight launched a massive manhunt for the Berlin truck attacker after bungling cops released a man wrongly accused of the atrocity.

In a stunning reversal, police chiefs have admitted an innocent 23-year-old Pakistani refugee was wrongly detained in the minutes following the attack.

They believe the real terrorist is now at large - and say there is a "significant" threat of being hit by another deadly atrocity.

74 An image of the man incorrectly suspected of carrying out the attack shows him being escorted into custody by police Credit: Welt

74 Cops stand guard in front of the Brandenburg Gate tonight Credit: Getty Images

74 Security services are facing a deadly race against time to catch the attacker before he can strike again Credit: Getty Images

74 Cops scour the canal bank near where the Polish lorry driver parked the vehicle yesterday Credit: Peter Jordan

74 Truck driver Lucaz Urban had his last meal nearby before he was killed by the perpetrator of the attack Credit: Peter Jordan

74 A Berlin Christmas market where 12 shoppers were killed last night lies destroyed this morning with the lorry sitting where its murderous rampage ended Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Festive decorations hang from the windshield of the 25-tonne vehicle as a grisly reminder that Berliners had been celebrating Christmas when they were killed Credit: Getty Images

It means authorities are now locked in a terrifying race against time after almost 24 hours of their initial investigation was blown on a false lead.

The journalist who first reported doubts regarding the culpability of the refugee arrested claims cops have "no idea who they're looking for", it was reported.

Michael Behrendt said: "They have no weapon, no DNA traces. Until they have any concrete information, it’s still completely unclear what they’re dealing with."

Berlin police chief Klaus Kandt said: "There are just so many possibilities to kill people with a heavy goods vehicle."

"It would not be possible to turn all Christmas markets into fortresses," he added.

It comes as the man originally arrested - a 23-year-old Pakistani man named only as Navid B - was tonight released from police custody as it was believed he is entirely innocent.

Doubts were raised over his supposed role in the attack when he was found with no blood or gun residue on his clothes and denied any knowledge of the attack.

74 German Chancellor Angela Merkel was visibly emotional as she attended a memorial service for victims of the terror attack this afternoon Credit: EPA

74 Merkel appeared strained as she attended a church ceremony at the Kaiser Wilhelm chapel in Berlin Credit: Reuters

74 Merkel attended the scene of the attack this afternoon where she inspected the damage Credit: Getty Images

74 Merkel, Berlin mayor Michael Mueller, left, and German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, right, laid flowers at the scene Credit: Reuters

74 The German premier adds to wreaths left at the scene during a sombre ceremony Credit: Reuters

74 Pictured from right to left at the ceremony today is German President Joachim Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of Germany's lower house of parliament Norbert Lammert Credit: Reuters

74 She was taken to the scene where the blood of a victim remained on the market pavement Credit: AP:Associated Press

It was previously reported the refugee initially arrested was recently radicalised in Germany.

Police reportedly claimed he may have been ordered by an ISIS chief in the Middle East to carry out the attack. He has since been released.

Meanwhile, ISIS has gleefully declared the Berlin truck attacker a "soldier of the Islamic State" in a sickening message claiming responsibility for yesterday's atrocity.

The short message was distributed by its propaganda wing, Amaq News Agency, and claimed he responded to its call to launch truck attacks against the West.

74 Berliners left flowers and candles at the scene of the attack as a makeshift shrine sprung up into the evening Credit: Getty Images

74 Candles burn in at a tribute set up to the victims of the attack in Berlin Credit: Reuters

74 Candles and flowers sit among heartfelt messages left at the scene of yesterday's attack Credit: Getty Images

The jihadis' statement read: "The executor of the operation in Berlin is a soldier of the Islamic State and he executed the operation in response to calls to target nationals of the coalition countries."

The atrocity last night has left 12 dead and 48 injured - 14 of whom remain in a serious condition.

Among those police fear may have been killed is Fabrizia Lorenzo, a 31-year-old Italian who is missing but whose phone and wallet were found at the scene.

As a sombre Angela Merkel visited the scene of terror this afternoon a senior police chief admitted: "We have the wrong man."

Firebrand members of her Christian Democratic Union party Klaus Bouillon raged Germany is in a "state of war".

74 Pictures allegedly showing Lukasz Urban, the Polish lorry driver who was shot dead during the attack, were released this afternoon Credit: TWITTER

74 Fears are currently growing for Italian Fabrizia Lorenzo, 31, whose phone and wallet were found at the scene Credit: Facebook

Earlier, top security sources told newspaper Die Welt: "We have a new situation. The true perpetrator is still armed, at large and can cause further damage."

Refugee Navid B had been pursued by a have-a-go-hero following the attack.

But today Federal Criminal Office chief Holger Munch said authorities were "highly alarmed" at the prospect of the real killer being on the loose.

He admitted the gunman's weapon had not been found and that there was a "significant" risk of another attack - with the possibility there could have been more than one plotter.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel laid flowers at the scene this afternoon alongside Berlin mayor Michael Mueller and Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere.

74 Forensic officers scoured the scene of the attack this afternoon as police admitted they may not have the right man Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Images of the truck used in the attack before the rampage were released today

74 Police surround the truck in Berlin this morning after the rampage last night Credit: EPA

74 Authorities believe the truck was hijacked by the attacker before it was used as a speeding battering ram to crash into Christmas shoppers Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Witnesses described seeing a man flee the cab of the battered lorry before being pursued by a local man who directed police towards the suspect - who was later found to be entirely innocent Credit: Getty Images

74 The truck's trail of destruction became apparent as daylight revealed the full horror of the attack last night Credit: Getty Images

74

The temporary arrested suspect denies the offense.

Therefore we are particulary alert.

Please be also alert.#Breitscheidplatz — Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 20, 2016

One witness claims the terrorist was masked when he ploughed a hijacked truck loaded with 25 tonnes of steel into a Berlin Christmas market at around 7pm.

Police believe the attack - which bore haunting similarities to July's Nice atrocity - may have been ordered by an ISIS handler in the Middle East.

The Foreign Office confirmed no Brits had been injured during the attack.

Festive shoppers were feasting on mulled wine and bratwurst when the HGV smashed through the wooden stalls.

The lorry's Polish driver Lukasz Urban, 37, was shot dead in the passenger seat.

His cousin Ariel Zurawski, who identified Urban, said: "His face was swollen and bloodied. It was really clear that he was fighting for his life."

Merkel accepted the rampage was a terror attack as she addressed the nation this morning.

She said she had been "shocked, shaken and deeply saddened by the massacre".

Germany's premier is likely to face intense criticism following her open-door immigration policy that has seen more than a million refugees flood into Germany over the past two years.

Among the first to lay blame at Merkel's door was Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

He tweeted: "Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy."

She has previously hinted that her open-door policy is proving unsuccessful.

In September she admitted: "If I knew what change in refugee policy the people in Germany want, I would be prepared to consider it."

Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy. — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) December 20, 2016

74 A sombre Angela Merkel addressed her nation in the aftermath of the Berlin attack this morning Credit: Getty Images

74 The blood-soaked streets of the German capital saw 12 killed and dozens injured Credit: Getty Images

74 A paramedic treats a casualty at the scene of the horror attack in Berlin last night Credit: spreepicture

74 The lorry's trail of destruction was made clear as several stalls lay destroyed on the market floor Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 The Foreign Office this morning confirmed that no Brits had been killed or injured during the attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Dozens of casualties were treated at the scene after the lorry ploughed into crowds at 40mph Credit: Reuters

74 The battered lorry used in the attack was towed away by German police this afternoon Credit: DPA

74 Officials are thought to be unaware of the identity of the attacker Credit: DPA

Last night's burst of horrifying violence was another chilling reminder of the threats that face Europe.

The killer's vehicle mounted the pavement before crashing into a crowd of shoppers, tearing through stalls before coming to a stop after a deadly 150ft rampage outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the city’s centre.

An emotional Angela Merkel is "in mourning" over the horrific scenes in her country's capital just days before Christmas. She confirmed the incident was a "terrorist attack".

A Polish man found in the passenger seat of the hijacked cab had been shot dead, Germany's Interior Minister confirmed this morning.

Petrified crowds were seen running for cover when the suspected terrorist took control of the 25-tonne truck and ploughed it into the Breitscheidplatz Christmas markets at around 7pm, leaving a bloody trail in its wake.

Witnesses described victims being thrown aside like skittles.

74 Authorities who rushed to the horrific scene and were met with blood-soaked streets Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Eyewitnesses say the truck deliberately tore through crowds, crushing shoppers and killing 12 Credit: Reuters

74 Rescuers work to free casualties still trapped underneath the truck Credit: spreepicture

74 The shattered front windscreen of the truck could be seen from the street Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Authorities inspect the truck after the devastating crash left a dozen dead Credit: Reuters

74 Owner of the Polish company that operated the killer truck, Ariel Zurawski, showed an image of the man he claims is his cousin and the Polish victim shot dead in the cab of the lorry Credit: PAP

Police are treating the rampage as a terror attack, saying they believed the truck was "intentionally" driven into the festive stalls.

Its lights were turned off when it smashed into the wooden huts selling wine, sausages, sweets and toys - and the people milling about near them.

Authorities this morning began the grisly task of clearing the scene of an atrocity that has shocked a Germany gearing up for the festive season.

Brits caught up in the terror described horrific scenes of bodies strewn among debris as the lorry "deliberately" plunged into festive shoppers in an attack which had chilling echoes of the terror attack in Nice, France, in July where 86 people were killed.

Rhys Meredith, of Cardiff, was visiting the market with his girlfriend when the lorry tore by.

He told the BBC: "We had bought food and had we carried on we would have walked down the path the truck would have been down and we more than likely wouldn't be having this conversation right now.

"It missed us by about ten feet before veering into the middle of the road, taking out stalls.

"There was clearly no attempt to try and slow down.

"We've seen stalls obliterated into nothing"

One eyewitness told the Berliner Morgenpost he heard a "loud popping" followed by "hysterical screams".

74 German market traders laid flowers for victims of the attack in Berlin this morning Credit: Getty Images

74 Elsewhere, Berliners signed condolence wishes to those killed last night Credit: Getty Images

74 Mourners attended a service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church near the scene of the attack this morning Credit: Getty Images

74 Police accompanied market traders back to their stalls to inspect damage in the wake of rampage Credit: Getty Images

74 Police retained a heavy presence on the streets of the German capital in the wake of the violence Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Heavily-armed German soldiers patrolled the streets this morning as they sought to reassure the public Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Security was especially tight around Germany's popular Christmas markets Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Hundreds of flowers were laid in tribute to those killed in the German capital last night Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Strict bag checks were put in place throughout the country as security services remained vigilant. They later warned Germans to remain on alert Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Welshman Rhys Meredith, pictured here with his unnamed girlfriend, described how the pair avoided the lorry by barely ten feet Credit: South Wales Echo

One witness told the Mail Online: "He just drove onto the square from the Kant street. That had to have been intentional, because his lights were not switched on. And then I just heard this loud bang and hysterical screaming."

German reports in Welt reported that a man saw the driver responsible for the attack clamber out of the truck, with the witness running after him at a safe distance.

Following the suspect, he quickly rang emergency services to tell them where the man - now found to be innocent - was, with authorities able to arrest him soon after.

Police said the lorry was stolen from a building site in Poland with it now being forensically examined by authorities.

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German special forces have since stormed a hangar at Berlin's defunct Tempelhof airport, which now houses refugee accommodation.

A unit of the elite SEK armed police headed into the hangar just hours after the attack with reports that the man responsible for the attack had been living there.

German government prosecutors have now taken over the investigation.

74 The front windscreen of the lorry was left badly smashed after the horror attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 The truck's original Polish driver was found dead in the cabin. He is believed to have been shot dead by the attacker Credit: AP:Associated Press

74 Christmas decorations were strewn across the street after the lorry smashed its way through terrified crowds Credit: Reuters

74 The festive market had been a picture of calm just hours before the horror rampage, as shoppers milled around its stalls Credit: Getty Images

74 Hours later, dozens would lay dying and maimed on the streets of the German capital Credit: Getty Images

74 The horror attack comes just weeks after chilling threats from ISIS of Christmas market massacres Credit: Getty Images

74 A rescue worker pushes a victim of the attack on a stretcher amid the carnage in Berlin Credit: Getty Images

74 Dozens of emergency vehicles rushed to the scene as the horror unfolded at around 7pm Credit: Rex Features

Several of the injured were reported to be in a critical condition after being trapped underneath the lorry, and 48 were taken to hospital.

Casualties were being treated at the scene with dozens stretchered away, while others were treated on the ground unable to be moved.

Investigators have appealed for any pictures and videos of the scene to help with their investigations.

Horrifying pictures showed wounded people being treated at the scene and debris from the attack strewn across the road.

A number of casualties interviewed by German media are also believed to have been refugees.

Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is only getting worse. The civilized world must change thinking! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2016

My thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events in Berlin tonight. London stands with you in solidarity and support. — Mayor of London (gov.uk/coronavirus) (@MayorofLondon) December 19, 2016

74 Casualties could be seen being loaded into ambulances after the horror attack Credit: Reuters

74 The whole area was cordoned off with people urged to stay in their homes Credit: Reuters

74 Huge numbers of casualties were feared after the attack, which had chilling echoes of the Bastille Day attack in Nice Credit: Reuters

74 Police are investigating whether the truck was stolen after its driver's wife told Polish TV she hadn't spoken to her husband since 4pm yesterday Credit: Reuters

74 The lorry slammed the entire length of the market place, killing 12 and seriously dozens more Credit: AP:Associated Press

German intelligence services had reportedly been warning city authorities for the past week of a possible attack on a Christmas market.

The heartbreaking story of the lorry's driver emerged last night as his wife told how she had not heard from her husband since 4pm yesterday.

The employee's cousin Ariel Zurawski, who owns the haulage company, also told the channel he believed he had been kidnapped.

He said: “We haven’t heard from him since this afternoon. We don’t know what happened to him.

“He’s my cousin, I’ve known him since I was a kid. I can vouch for him. They must have done something to my driver."

German President Joachim Gauck said: "It's a terrible evening for Berlin and for our country, that upsets me as it does many others.

"Although we still don't know much about the causes of this awful event at the Berlin Christmas market, I am thinking of the victims, of their loved ones, and of anyone who fears for their relatives or friends."

The mayor of Berlin Michael Muller told Das Bild his thoughts were with the families of the dead and injured.

74 People could be seen rushing to the aid of those injured in the attacks in video footage Credit: Universal News (Europe)

74 Video shot on a mobile phone reveals the immediate aftermath of the horrific attack Credit: Universal News (Europe)

74 Twelve people have been killed in the attack with 50 more injured Credit: Getty Images

Christian Schmidt, Minister of Food and Agriculture, condemned the "abominable attack".

He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the dead, their loved ones, and the injured.

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and consideration.

"One thing is clear to me: we also need a spirit of determination. No hesitation in the governmental fight against terrorism; instead, decisive action.

"All those who wield political power are commanded to take on board the realities of this threat. This is the hour of national and international unity."

Berlin's interior senator Andreas Geisel told German news: "This is a horrific event. But it won't change the way we live life here in Berlin."

Donald Trump, US president-elect, condemned the attack, tweeting: "Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is only getting worse. The civilized world must change thinking!"

The White House released a statement condemning "what appears to be a terrorist attack".

"We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those killed, just as we wish a speedy recovery to all of those wounded," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.

"We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Germany."

74 German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reported to be mourning the dead Credit: Reuters

74 A smashed-up Christmas tree can be seen mangled on the truck's windscreen Credit: Reuters

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also took to Twitter to share his horror at the incident.

"My thoughts & condolences are w/ the people of #Germany following tonight's terrible tragedy in #Berlin, leaving so many dead & injured," he said.

A crying woman was heard shouting "an idiot drove into the crowd!" reports Das Bild.

"I heard a big noise and then I moved on the Christmas market and saw much chaos...many injured people,'" Jan Hollitzer, deputy editor in chief of Berliner Morgenpost, told CNN. "It was really traumatic."

The Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche, located in the square, simply posted The Lord's Prayer on its Facebook page in response to the attack.

Mike Fox, a tourist from Birmingham, told the Mail Online the truck missed him by about three metres as it drove into the market.

"It was definitely deliberate," he added.

Mr Fox said he helped people who appeared to have broken limbs, and said others were trapped underneath stalls.

"We were in the market, outside the cathedral and we had just had mulled wine then as we were leaving the large truck came through," he said.

"It went just past me, past my girlfriend. I think it missed me by three metres, missed her by five. It came in through the entrance, hit the sides of the barriers and then carried on past us."

74 Forensics officers were investigating the scene of the carnage in Berlin late into the night Credit: Reuters

74 It was thought the driver of the lorry had been arrested but it has since been claimed police have the wrong man Credit: Reuters

Richard Clarkson, from Brighton, told the Irish Independent he was at a bar with his friends on the street near were the incident happened.

One of his friends heard a bang. He said: “I just walked out and I saw the truck, the windscreen was broken, I didn’t see any bodies they were very quick to cover them up I think.”

“The word terrorist is being thrown around a lot at the moment and people seem scared.”

French president Francois Hollande released a statement expressing his "solidarity and compassion to Chancellor Merkel, the German people and the families of victims of Berlin."

The attack is believed to be a copycat of the Nice attack in which 86 people were killed after a lorry ploughed into crowds celebrating Bastille Day.

The driver drove for over a mile through crowds on the Promenade des Anglais in the French city before being shot by police.

President Hollande said the attack was of "an undeniable terrorist nature".

Those caught up in the attacks shared pictures on social media in the immediate aftermath.

Tourist Emma Rushton, from England, tweeted from the scene: "Lorry just ploughed through Christmas market in #berlin. People crushed. I am safe. I am safe."

It comes weeks after ISIS threatened massacres at Christmas markets and events.

74 Firefighters carrying stretchers attend the carnage at the Christmas market Credit: Reuters

74 The attack claimed 12 lives and injured 48 more, with several trapped beneath the lorry Credit: Getty Images

74 Revellers at the Christmas market shared pictures showing the carnage unfolding Credit: Twitter

Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, issued a statement in reaction to the attack and incidents in Zurich, Switzerland, and Ankara, Turkey.

She said: “Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured in the horrific incident in Berlin, and with their families. We stand united in sorrow and solidarity with all the people of Germany, as well as with all those affected by today’s attacks in Switzerland and Turkey.

“Christmas is above all a time for peace and togetherness, and if what we have seen in Berlin and elsewhere today are shown to be deliberate, terrorist attacks, let us remember that our peace and togetherness are exactly what these evil individuals are trying to destroy, and that we must never let them succeed in that aim.

“Let us prove instead that - by people of all nations, creeds and colours standing strong together - we can defeat all those who simply want to sow war, division and hate.”

The attack happened just hours after the Russian ambassador to Turkey was gunned down in an art gallery in Ankara.

And three people were shot and injured at an Islamic prayer centre in Zurich, Switzerland, this afternoon.

The US State Department revealed it had “credible information” that Islamic State and other Islamist terror groups were plotting massacres across Europe in the lead-up to Christmas.

The attack comes just days after organisers of a festive market in Birmingham installed concrete barriers over fears of a terror attack.

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