Günther Schabowski, German Communist official who accidentally brought down Berlin Wall, dies aged 86

In later years Mr Schabowski expressed remorse for his role in preventing people from crossing the Berlin Wall

After Germany's re-unification in 1990 Mr Schabowski was jailed with other members of the Politburo for his role in people who died trying to cross the wall to West Berlin (Getty)

The politician who accidentally announced the opening of the Berlin Wall - sparking its collapse shortly afterwards - has died aged 86.

Günther Schabowski, a former East German member of the ruling Politburo, let slip to journalists at a press meeting that citizens would be allowed to cross into the west on 9 November 1989.

His comments were widely broadcast by the media and caused a rush on the wall by East German citizens trying to reach the west side of the city.

Asked by a journalist about current travel rules, he said at the press conference: "We have decided today to implement a regulation that allows every citizen of the Germany Democratic Republic to leave East Germany through any of the border crossings."

A protest outside the DDR parliament on 7 November 1989 calling for the Wall to come down. It did so two days later, sparked by Mr Schabowski's comment (Brian Harris)

The answer stunned journalists, who asked when this new change would come into effect.

"According to my information, immediately, without delay," said Mr Schabowski.

Officials had actually planned to phase in the new changes the following day, and citizens were meant to apply for visas in an orderly manner.

Instead, tens of thousands made a bid to leave the Soviet bloc and the comment is attributed with the rapid fall of the wall on the very same day.

Mr Schabowski's widow, Irina, announced his passing at a care home in Berlin on Sunday morning to Germany news agency DPA.

Once Germany was reunified in October 1990, Mr Schabowski was jailed with other members of the Politburo for his role in the shootings of people who tried to escape over the wall.

He accepted "moral responsibility" for what he had done, according to The Guardian, and later expressed remorse.