Isis claim responsibility for Berlin Christmas market attack

In this screen grab taken from video, emergency services attend the scene, after an attack by a truck at a Christmas market in Berlin. Photo / AP

The Islamic State extremist group, via its Aamaq Agency outlet, is claiming responsibility for the attack on a Berlin Christmas market.

The attacker was a "soldier of the Islamic State" who acted in response to calls to target citizens of the coalition of states combating the organisation, it said on Tuesday.

The attack at the Christmas market on Monday left at least 12 dead and nearly 50 injured, 24 of whom have been released from hospital, Germany police said.

The claim, issued via Aamaq and attributed to a "security source," is typical of how Islamic State has declared itself responsible for previous attacks in Europe.

Islamic State's claims came as German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the perpetrator of the truck attack is probably still on the run and that a suspect arrested in connection with the crime was released due to lack of evidence.

"That's why it is true that one cannot rule out that the perpetrator is still at large," De Maiziere told ZDF television.

He added police had not just followed a single lead but multiple leads from the start, saying it remained beyond doubt that the truck incident was an attack, but that the motives remain unclear.

- AAP