Officials Offer Support in Wake of Berlin Attack

[Updated: Monday, Dec. 19, 9:30 p.m.]

All Duke students in Berlin have been contacted and are safe.

Duke officials  encourage those in Berlin or traveling in Europe to avoid large congregations of people (for example, demonstrations and rallies), as well as popular gathering places and entertainment venues, including large holiday and/or religious gatherings and events. Additionally, travelers should maintain heightened situational awareness while out in public, and especially when visiting popular tourist sites and using mass transportation systems. Report anything suspicious or unusual to the local authorities as soon as possible.

[Original Post: Monday, Dec. 19, 4:50 p.m.]

At this time, Duke officials are not aware of any faculty, staff, or students who have been impacted by a truck driving into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, Monday evening. Efforts are underway now to positively contact and confirm that all 30 Duke students in Berlin are safe.
 
Duke has checked the Duke Travel Registry to identify any other faculty, staff, or graduate/professional students who may currently be in the area. If you know of any faculty, graduate/professional students or staff members who may be in Berlin and in need of international support resources, please contact Christy Parrish-Michaels, senior manager for Global Administrative Policies and Procedures, at christy.parrish@duke.edu or 919-684-2910. 
 
Reports indicate that at least nine people were killed and around 50 others injured in the incident, which the authorities suspect was intentionally perpetrated. The police have arrested a person believed to the driver of truck, and emergency officials are currently at the scene and have evacuated the Christmas market after cordoning off the area. The incident also prompted the authorities to close the nearby metro station Zoologischer Garten.
 
All students in Berlin should monitor and adhere to directives from the Germany authorities. Current instructions are to shelter in place until further notice. Students traveling outside of Berlin and/or Germany, should monitor the security situation closely before attempting to return to the city.
 
Support for any Duke student, faculty or staff member abroad on a Duke program is available through the university’s travel assistance program.