A Berlin Pride incident left one person dead and at least 16 others injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd near Tiergarten park, police said.
A Berlin Pride incident turned deadly in central Berlin on Saturday night after a vehicle drove into a crowd near Tiergarten park, leaving one person dead and at least 16 others injured, according to police. The crash happened as thousands were gathered for the final stage of Christopher Street Day, the city’s annual Pride celebration.
Police named the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B and said he is known to have connections to Islamist circles. German media outlets reported that he is a supporter of the Islamic State group. Authorities said an intensive manhunt was underway and had been expanded across the city, while police also asked the public to share any information or footage that could help the investigation.
Officers said they believe a vehicle entered the Tiergarten area and struck several people. A police spokesperson told reporters at the scene that after the car drove into the area, it came to a stop after hitting a tree in the park. The vehicle was later found abandoned there, police said. Emergency crews treated the wounded nearby, including some people with life-threatening injuries, and a large police and fire response was seen around the site.
Witnesses described a white van speeding into the crowd shortly after 22:00 local time. Local media quoted people who said they saw a car moving very quickly through the gathering and heard screams as people ran into the park to get away. Images from the scene showed emergency responders carrying one person into an ambulance on a stretcher.
“A Berlin Pride incident left one person dead and at least 16 others injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd near Tiergarten park, police said.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement that he would make sure the incident was fully investigated and punished. Berlin mayor Kai Wegner called it an attack on what he described as a free and open-minded society and said his thoughts were with the victims and their families. He said he had confidence in police and security authorities to work with urgency.
Christopher Street Day is the biggest of the Pride events held across Germany and draws huge crowds to Berlin each year. The celebration includes music, a parade and political speeches, and the city usually expects around a million people to attend. When the vehicle entered the crowd, the screen at the Brandenburg Gate displayed an evacuation warning and people began leaving the area.
The Berlin Pride incident adds to concern over vehicle attacks at public gatherings and puts security at major city events back in focus. For Americans, the takeaway is clear: large public celebrations remain vulnerable places, and authorities are under pressure to protect them without crushing the freedom they are meant to honor.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Berlin Pride?
A vehicle drove into a crowd near Tiergarten park during the final stage of Christopher Street Day. Police said one person was killed and at least 16 others were injured.
Who is the suspect?
Police named the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B. They said he is known to have connections to Islamist circles.
What did police say about the vehicle?
Police believe a vehicle entered the Tiergarten area and struck several people before stopping after hitting a tree. It was later found abandoned there.
How did officials respond?
Police said an intensive manhunt was underway and had been expanded across the city. They also asked the public to share information or footage that could help the investigation.
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