Manhunt Under Way in Berlin After Car Rams Pride Crowd, Leaving One Dead and 16 Injured
BERLIN — A festive celebration of diversity turned to tragedy late Saturday night when a vehicle plowed into a crowd near a Berlin Pride event in the central Tiergarten park. The attack resulted in one fatality and left 16 others injured, prompting an intensive police manhunt.
The Incident and Emergency Response
The attack occurred shortly before 22:00 local time near the historic Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds of thousands had gathered for Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day celebrations. According to the Berlin fire department, three of the wounded victims sustained life-threatening injuries, eight are seriously hurt, and five suffered minor injuries, while roughly 30 others required psychological support at the scene.
Emergency responders and law enforcement quickly cordoned off the area, interrupting a live stage performance and instructing participants to clear the location immediately. In addition to the vehicle impact, investigators are examining reports that several individuals may have sustained stab wounds during the chaos.
Ongoing Manhunt and Suspect Profile
Authorities have launched a large-scale search for one or more suspects who fled on foot after the white vehicle crashed into a tree. Police have identified a primary suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B., noting that he has known connections to local Islamist circles.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the violence, pledging that the attack will be investigated with the "utmost severity." Leaders across Europe, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, also expressed solidarity, condemning the incident as a direct strike against a free and tolerant society.
