Van Rams Berlin Pride Parade Crowd, Leaving One Dead and Many Injured as Manhunt Underway

A speeding van plowed into Christopher Street Day participants in central Berlin on Saturday night, killing a woman, injuring at least sixteen others, and triggering a massive manhunt for the Islamist-linked suspect.

Berlin Pride Attack Leaves One Dead

The incident occurred on Saturday, June 25, in the Tiergarten park in central Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz, where the Christopher Street Day event was taking place. According to Bild, citing witnesses, just before 10 PM, a speeding vehicle drove into the crowd of event participants. The Associated Press, citing police information, reported that the vehicle used in the attack was a white van.

Following the attack, the event was terminated, and organizers and police urged attendees to return home. Authorities closed off access to the Potsdamer Platz area. Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath announced on Sunday morning that a woman died in the attack on the Berlin Equality Parade, stating that her injuries were so severe she died at the scene.

Casualties and Emergency Response

The fire department previously reported that three of at least sixteen injured individuals are in critical condition, and eight are in serious condition. Five people sustained minor injuries. Additionally, thirty event participants received psychological support.

The search for the perpetrator is ongoing, with German special units and police helicopters involved in the operation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is being kept continuously informed about the situation.

Suspect Identified as Islamist Scene Member

On Saturday night into Sunday, Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath stated that the perpetrator has ties to local Islamist circles. The attacker has not been arrested, and actions against the suspect are still ongoing.

The Berlin prosecutor’s office announced Sunday morning that police published a warrant for the suspected perpetrator of Saturday’s Equality Parade attack. The suspect is 21-year-old Abdul B., previously known to police and linked to the Islamist milieu. According to dpa, authorities are conducting proceedings under the charge of attempted terrorism.

The 21-year-old is slender and approximately 190 cm tall. Dpa reported that the man was released from juvenile detention in May of this year.

Police Raids and Public Appeal

Police conducted several operations, including searching an apartment in the Schoeneberg district, but no arrest was made because no one was found there. Authorities are withholding further information due to the ongoing investigation.

Investigators appealed to event participants, stating in a released statement that witnesses are asked to send any relevant information, photos, and videos. Authorities warned that if anyone encounters the suspect, they should immediately call 110 and not approach him, as he may be armed and dangerous.

Political Reactions and Condemnation

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner arrived at the scene of the tragedy late in the evening and declared that they will not let their way of life be taken away.

Wegner later wrote on platform X that this is an attack on their free and cosmopolitan society, noting that after a peaceful and colorful Christopher Street Day, a gathering for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal way.

He added that the German capital is a city of freedom, which was attacked today in the most horrific way, assuring that his thoughts are with the victims and their families while thanking the services.

Commenting on Wegner’s post, the portal of Der Spiegel weekly wrote that the Mayor of Berlin clearly does not consider the incident an accident.