Concrete Blocks and Police Cordons: Christmas Markets in 2016 Europe

European cities tightened security measures after a deadly truck attack in Berlin. On December 19, a truck rammed into the crowd at the Berlin Christmas market on the Breitscheidplatz square, killing 12 people and injuring over 40 more.

1/16

© AFP 2023 / HATIM KAGHAT

The Belgian Ministry of the Interior considers that sufficient measures have already been taken to ensure safety at Christmas fairs and will not bolster security. Nevertheless, the Crisis Center at the Ministry of the Interior recommended police to cordon entrances to the markets with concrete blocks.

2/16

© AP Photo / Jean-Francois Badias

People go through security checks before entering the Christmas market in Strasbourg in eastern France.

3/16

© AP Photo / Michael Probst

Security measures in European cities were tightened after a truck ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed many people Monday evening in Berlin.

4/16

© AFP 2023 / CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT

Reinforced patrols took to the streets of the French capital.

5/16

© AFP 2023 / FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI

Security was bolstered at the Christmas market next to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims.

6/16

© AFP 2023 / BARBARA GINDL

After the tragedy in Berlin enhanced security measure were taken at Christmas markets in Salzburg.

7/16

© AFP 2023 / HATIM KAGHAT

Belgian police implemented the recommendations of the country’s Crisis Center at the Ministry of the Interior and cordoned entrances to Christmas markets with concrete blocks.

8/16

© AFP 2023 / GERARD JULIEN

A police car patrols a pedestrian shopping street in the center of Madrid.

9/16

© AFP 2023 / HERBERT PFARRHOFER

Belgium's terror alert level remains high since the bomb attacks on a Brussels airport and a metro station that killed 32 and injured over 300 in March.

10/16

© AFP 2023 / HATIM KAGHAT

Security measures were enhanced at "Wiener Christkindlmarkt" Christmas market in Vienna.

11/16

© AP Photo / Zoltan Balogh/MTI

Police officers of the Counter Terrorism Centre with sub-machine guns guard Nyugati (Western) Railway Station in central Budapest in Hungary.

12/16

© AP Photo / Peter Dejong

Concrete barriers were put to enlarge the security perimeter near the Christmas market in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

13/16

© AP Photo / Luca Bruno

Milan boosted police forces to maintain order in the crowded shopping streets.

14/16

© AP Photo / Peter Gercke

Armed police officers guard the entrance to a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany.

15/16

© AFP 2023 / PATRICK HERTZOG

French police make preventive arrests to avoid any risk of a terror attack during Christmas holidays, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll also announced on Monday.

16/16

© AFP 2023 / Markus Scholz / DPA

Concrete blocks aiming to prevent terror attacks were placed around a Christmas market in Hamburg in northern Germany.