Merkel visits Berlin Christmas market ahead of attack anniversary

Berlin (dpa) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday made a surprise visit to the Berlin Christmas market where a rejected Tunisian asylum seeker ploughed a stolen truck into the crowds last year, killing 12 and injuring dozens.The German leader spent 30 minutes at the market, located in front of the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the west end of the city.Relatives of the victims had earlier complained in an open letter of insufficient welfare after the attack on December 19, 2016, singling Merkel out for failing to act.Merkel joined market representatives and local business organizations in visiting a makeshift memorial of candles, flowers and pictures at the attack site. They each laid a white rose to honour the memory of the victims.The chancellor spoke to market stallholders, visitors and passers-by. One of the stallholders she spoke to, Susanne Wollenschlaeger, saw two people die at her stand, whereas another, Max Mueller, saw his stall completely destroyed by the oncoming truck.Merkel sipped an alcohol-free mulled wine at one stand.Another stallholder, Axel Kaiser, whose stall was used for treating minor injuries after the attack, welcomed the chancellor‘s visit, saying it would reassure people that the Christmas market was safe.Security measures at Germany‘s annual Christmas markets were increased after the Berlin attack, with concrete barriers erected to prevent future vehicle attacks.Merkel is due to take part in an official memorial on the first anniversary of the attack with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is scheduled to give a speech after an ecumenical service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.