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.

13 Several have died at approximately 50 have been injured Credit: Reuters

13 Several died and at least 50 were injured in the attack Credit: Getty Images

13 Witnesses said the truck was deliberately driven into the crowds Credit: Getty Images

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

According to sources of my colleagues @welt , authorities in Berlin in recent days had info about possible attack against Christmas market — Clemens Wergin (@clemenswergin) December 19, 2016

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 The Daily Mirror.

13 German Chancellor Angela Merkel Credit: Reuters

13 A UK security source warned that "the entire continent is vulnerable to attack" in recent weeks Credit: Getty Images

13 Emergency workers help those injured at the scene Credit: Reuters

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.

13 Berlin is reeling from the tragedy, thought to have claimed at least nine lives Credit: Rex Features

13 ISIS is bitter about losing its war and wants to commit cowardly massacres against civilians in Europe in revenge Credit: Refer to caption

13 Special police units are on standby for terrorists attacks in the UK Credit: PA:Press Association

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.”

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13 The festive market in Berlin drew large crowds Credit: spreepicture

Following the Berlin attack, police have arrested the driver after launching a huge man hunt.

A passenger in the truck is reported to have died.

German police warned people to stay at home after the crash and "not spread rumours" on social media.

13 ISIS carried out a similar attack in Nice Credit: Reuters

13 Emergency workers raced to the scene to treat the wounded Credit: Not known refer to copyright holder

Richard Clarkson, from Brighton, told the Irish Independent he was at a bar called Irish 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.”

The tragedy saw US President-elect Donald Trump make his first major statement since being elected last month.

He said: "Innocent civilians were murdered in the streets as they prepared to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

"ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad."

13 Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Ladd–Peebles Stadium on Saturday Credit: AP:Associated Press

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