Facebook activates 'Safety Check' in Berlin following attack on Christmas market

Facebook has activated the ‘ Safety Check’ feature in Berlin hours after a devastating attack where a truck crashed into a Christmas market. The attack killed at least twelve people and injured dozens in the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz, outside Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. [caption id=“attachment_353751” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image Credit: Facebook[/caption] There are various conflicting accounts regarding the tragedy as some people are calling it an “attack” while others are calling it a “crash”. As reported by CBS News, a top security official in Germany and the Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere clarified that they don’t want to use the term “attack” yet despite clues hinting in that direction.

A sad certainty: Today 12 people died at #Breitscheidplatz, 48 partially seriously injured are cared for by hospitals.

— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 20, 2016

Facebook ‘Safety Check’ shows the users information about the friends present in the area during the incident and allows users to ask them about their safety. According to Cnet, the Berlin Police is encouraging people to use the feature to inform the family, friends and loved ones about their safety. You can visit the “Safety Check” feature to ask your friends in the area if they are safe or not. Facebook presents you with a list of people from your friend’s list in the affected areas along with the option to ask them about their safety. Depending on the situation they can notify you if they are not in the area or safe. This feature is a backup to the situations when you can’t get in touch with a telephone call or SMS and the only access on the other end maybe wired internet connection.