Car crashes into Berlin "Fan Mile"

BERLIN, July 2 (Reuters) A car crashed through security barriers at the World Cup ''Fan Mile'' in central Berlin today, seriously injuring a child and hurting 20 other people in an area where huge crowds have gathered to watch matches.

Police were questioning the driver, a 33-year-old man, and Berlin Interior Minister Ehrhart Koerting said it appeared the incident was not an accident.

''We are obviously talking about an act by a person who wanted to injure others or cause a scene,'' Koerting told reporters at the scene.

The incident occured near the Brandenburg Gate in the centre of the German capital where the ''Fan Mile'' main stage is located. Hundreds of thousands have flocked there for matches but none were played on Sunday and the area was less crowded.

Parts of the ''Fan Mile'' and some houses nearby had been evacuated while police checked for explosives in the vehicle, a spokesman for the Berlin city government said.

The incident happened at around 1915 hrs IST when the man drove his Berlin-registered Volkswagen Polo through security barriers into the ''Fan Mile'' area. A 55-year-old woman was also in the car, police said.

''Such actions cannot be prevented even with absolute security,'' Koerting said, adding that he saw no need for changes to existing safety measures.

A concert at the Brandenburg Gate by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra planned for today evening would still go ahead, officials said.

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