SINGAPORE — There are no reports so far of Singaporeans injured or directly affected by the attack at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market in Berlin, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 20).

The Singapore Embassy in Berlin has been contacting registered Singaporeans in the German capital and is also in close contact with the German authorities there to keep up with the situation.

“Singaporeans in Germany are advised to monitor closely the local news and heed the instructions of the local authorities,” MFA said. 

“They should be vigilant and take the necessary precautions, including avoiding crowded places, and especially the incident site near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. They are also advised to keep in touch with their family and friends so that they know you are safe.”

If they have not done so, they are advised to register online with MFA.

Caught in the aftermath of the attack was a Singaporean in his 20s, who declined to be named. He told TODAY: “I didn’t know what had happened at that time. All I heard were those noises going off. It could have been anything really. I couldn’t see the truck because I was blocked by the Christmas tree there ... All I could see were police cars getting in from all directions and blocking off the road.

“I was definitely concerned for my safety. I just ran to open space and found the shortest way back ... to the hotel.” He found out only later from news reports what really happened.

When contacted by TODAY, travel agencies in Singapore said on Tuesday that they are tracking the situation closely and have not received cancellations from travellers.

Dynasty Travel said more than 100 travellers have left for an Eastern Europe tour, which covers the German city. Its public relations and communications director Alicia Seah said that 35 of these travellers left Berlin on Sunday, while two other groups would arrive in the city in the coming days. The agency was in contact with them, and the groups and the tour managers are all safe, she said. 

Over the next fortnight, there will be more than 70 other travellers leaving Singapore for Berlin. Ms Seah said: “We are closely monitoring the situation with our overseas land operator and will amend … our tour programme if needed, to avoid the affected areas.” 

On Monday night, a truck ploughed through Breitscheidplatz Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring nearly 50 others.

Right now, more than 70 of Chan Brothers Travel’s customers are in Berlin, but its tours do not cover the area in which the attack occurred so they continue unaffected, the agency said. Several more of its groups are set to depart this week. 

Its marketing communications head Jane Chang said that the agency is also monitoring the situation, keeping in touch with its operators there, and changes would be made to the itinerary should the need arise. 

Another travel firm, SA Tours, said none of its groups are in the German city, and it has not received any cancellations for tours there.  

Holidaymakers aside, there are students from Singapore on short stays in Berlin as well. 

Singapore Management University (SMU) said that three of its students are on an exchange programme in the city. “They have been accounted for and are confirmed to be safe,” an SMU spokesperson said. Before the students left Singapore, they attended safety and emergency briefings, and registered themselves with Singapore’s MFA, among other procedures. 

Following the incident, SMU has given them advice and reminders, such as staying vigilant and maintaining regular contact with their families and the Singapore Embassy in Berlin. They have also been advised to stay indoors and wait for the situation to stabilise, the spokesperson said. 

Two Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students on exchange in Berlin are also safe. 

“We will continue to be in touch with them and provide any assistance if necessary,” an NTU spokesperson said. 

Singaporeans who need urgent consular assistance should contact the Singapore Embassy in Berlin or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office at:
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Berlin
Tel: +49 30 2263430
Duty Handphone: +49 152 2341 2182
Email: singemb_ber [at] mfa.sg
MFA Duty Office
Tel: +65 63798800/8855
Email: mfa_duty_officer [at] mfa.gov.sg