IBNS-CMEDIA: Police have launched a manhunt for the suspected attacker after a van ploughed into a crowd at Berlin’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration late on Saturday, leaving one person dead and 16 others injured, according to media reports.
The incident occurred in Berlin’s Tiergarten park, near the city’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations, where thousands had gathered to mark Pride. According to CNN, the van drove into pedestrians walking through the park in central Berlin.
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Aufgrund des Verdachts eines Anschlags führen die Generalstaatsanwaltschaft Berlin und unser LKA die weiteren Ermittlungen.Nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen handelt es sich bei dem mutmaßlichen Tatverdächtigen um Abdul B..
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— Polizei Berlin (@polizeiberlin) July 26, 2026
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism.
Recalling the moment of the attack, an eyewitness told CNN: “There was a dull bang… after that, there were a few noises.”
“We only realised later exactly what was going on when the police cleared the park with machine guns and asked us to go home,” the witness added.
Police swiftly cordoned off the area following the incident and launched a large-scale search for the suspect.
According to the BBC, police have identified the suspect as Abdul B., 21, who is reportedly known to authorities for alleged links to Islamist circles. Investigators believe he is connected to the van that was driven into the crowd, killing one person and injuring 16 others.
In a statement posted on X, Berlin Police said: “Due to the suspicion of an attack, the Berlin General Public Prosecutor’s Office and our State Criminal Police Office (LKA) are conducting the further investigations.”
Wir sind offen und freiheitsliebend – und das werden wir auch bewahren und verteidigen. Die Tat wird aufgeklärt und mit aller Härte verfolgt.
Meine Gedanken sind bei den Betroffenen und ihren Angehörigen. Ich wünsche den Verletzten rasche Genesung und danke allen Einsatzkräften.— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) July 26, 2026
The remainder of the Pride celebrations was cancelled following the attack.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous act.”
“What a heinous act in Berlin. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world were peacefully celebrating at Christopher Street Day. They wanted us to treat each other with kindness and tolerance. This is an attack on our society,” Merz wrote.
He added: “We are open and freedom-loving—and we will preserve and defend that. The act will be investigated and prosecuted with the utmost severity. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. I wish the injured a swift recovery and thank all emergency responders for their service.”
Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack as the manhunt for the suspect remains underway.
