Man rams car into German Social Democrats HQ

Berlin Dec 25 (IANS) A man crashed his fuel-laden car into the national headquarters of Germany s Social Democratic Party (SPD) here early on Monday an incident the police described as a likely suicide attempt.

The driver was lightly injured and taken to a hospital where he was questioned by police and revealed his intention was to end his own life Efe reported.

"Around midnight a man crashed into the entrance area of the SPD party headquarters at the Willy-Brandt-Haus in the Kreuzberg district " Berlin Police said on Twitter. "No one was injured except the driver."

A can filled with gas and bottles containing other flammable liquids were found inside the vehicle which prompted Berlin s regional criminal office to take over the investigation due to the possibility of it being a failed terror attack.

The crash resulted in a fire inside the car that was brought under control by first responders.

The reason for the driver choosing the SPD headquarters has yet to be determined police said.

"Last night a car crashed into our central headquarters and material that can be used to start fires was found at the site " said SPD leader Martin Schulz. "We don t know much more than that but I m glad that none of our workers has suffered any injuries."

The man allegedly told police he had previously placed gas canisters in front of the headquarters of Chancellor Angela Merkel s ruling Christian Democratic Union.

A security guard at the CDU offices said he had seen an unidentified person leave a suspicious backpack -- which was later found to contain combustible material -- next to the building.

--IANS
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