German authorities launched an intensive city-wide manhunt following a deadly vehicle ramming and stabbing attack during Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day Pride festival on Saturday night. According to police and apnews.com reports, one woman was killed and at least 16 other people were injured when a white van was driven into a crowd in the popular Tiergarten park before crashing into a tree. Berlin’s fire service reported that three individuals sustained life-threatening injuries, another eight were seriously injured, and five suffered minor injuries. Authorities noted that several people were also apparently stabbed during the incident.
Berlin Authorities Launch Manhunt After Vehicle Ramming and Stabbing at Pride Festival Leaves One Dead and 16 Injured
The attack occurred shortly before 10 p.m. local time near the Brandenburg Gate, where the closing party of the large LGBTQ+ celebration was ongoing. Following the incident, the Pride event was abruptly called off at approximately 10:15 p.m., interrupting a stage performance as organizers and police urged attendees to go home and avoid the park route. Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident, describing it as an attack on our society.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner stated that the city’s freedom had been attacked in the most horrific way.
Police Identify Islamist-Linked Suspect and Expand Search Across the Capital
Police and prosecutors issued a wanted notice for a fugitive suspect, publicly identifying him as 21-year-old Abdul B., and noting that he is also named in German media reports as Abdul Ballout. Law enforcement warned the public to avoid direct contact with the suspect, stating that he may be armed and dangerous. According to BBC News, the suspect’s full surname is restricted under German law prohibiting the naming of suspects at this stage, though national newspaper reports identified him further. Investigators stated that the suspect has connections to Islamist circles in the German capital.
Police spokesperson Florian Nath stated that the individual is known to police as a member of Islamic circles in Berlin, adding that the search was proceeding at full speed while investigators had no immediate information regarding specific motives. Thousands of police officers, including reinforcements from surrounding German states, joined the operation. Authorities noted that the driver and any occupants fled the scene after the vehicle crashed, and police are investigating whether additional suspects were involved.
Emergency Response and Investigation at Tiergarten Park
The white van used in the attack remained at the scene Sunday morning with its crumpled front end resting against a tree in the Tiergarten park along the Ahornsteig road. Officials reported that the vehicle was heavily damaged by the impact. Emergency responders treated victims at the scene while police secured the area, conducted operations including an early morning search at an apartment in Berlin’s Schöneberg district, and widened the search area to the entire city.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a dull bang followed by screams amidst the ongoing festival atmosphere before police cleared the park. Festival attendees and community members expressed shock at the violence. Julian Miethig, an attendee who had planned to go to an after-party, called it a dark day for the community.
Presenter Ricarda Hofmann shared in an Instagram post cited by apnews.com that the event changed something within her, emphasizing that participants had gathered to celebrate love and stand up for each other.
