Police launch a murder investigation, say they do not think the blast is connected to terrorism.
- Murder investigation launched
- ‘No link to terrorism’ – police
- Inquiry focusing on organised crime
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Police in Berlin have reportedly launched a murder inquiry after an explosion destroyed a car travelling through the city centre.
Officials say the vehicle was being driven by a 43-year-old man of immigrant background who died at the scene.
The blast is being linked to organised crime.
Investigators say there is no evidence of any connection to terrorism.
The Volkswagen Passat was on Bismarckstrasse in Berlin’s western district of Charlottenburg during the rush hour when the explosion happened.
Eyewitnesses say the force of the blast flipped the vehicle onto its roof.
Detectives do not know if the dead man was the intended target.
In tweets
Berlin police suspect explosive device caused car to explode, driver dead: https://t.co/cmS3aA9ZGL pic.twitter.com/DlTDESJ0Pi
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 15, 2016
Bei der Tatortarbeit in #Charlottenburg ist auch unser Multicopter im Einsatz. ^yt pic.twitter.com/UCr9mQwfak
— Polizei Berlin (@polizeiberlin) 15. März 2016
Berlin car bomb looks very professional, pointed charge, only killed driver, no bystanders. Interesting signature. pic.twitter.com/lIiJpK2UX7
— Julian Reichelt (@jreichelt) March 15, 2016
#BREAKING Pictures of the car destroyed by an explosive device in #Berlin. (REUTERS/Reuters Tv) pic.twitter.com/fMZ7ME8Q1p
— euronews (@euronews) March 15, 2016