A manhunt is ongoing for a 21-year-old suspect following a tragic incident at Berlin’s Pride festival. On Saturday night, a vehicle was driven into a crowd, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to 16 others. The attack occurred in Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. local time, near Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
Authorities reported that in addition to the vehicular attack, several people were stabbed. Three individuals have life-threatening injuries, with eight others seriously injured and five sustaining minor injuries, according to Dominik Pretz, spokesman for Berlin’s fire department.
Police released a photo of the suspect, identified as Abdul B., believed to be associated with “Islamist circles” in Berlin. A public appeal has been made to locate Abdul B., emphasized by police spokesperson Florian Nath, who stated that the search is a high priority. Specific motives remain unknown.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident, describing it as “a heinous act.” He stressed the attack as an assault on societal values of kindness and tolerance. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed his shock over the “cowardly” attack on peaceful celebrants.
Every person should be able to live, love, and stand up for their rights without fear.
Alfonso Pantisano, Berlin’s Queer Liaison Officer, noted Saturday should have been a celebration of “joy, visibility, and freedom.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared her condolences, highlighting the Pride event’s values of “freedom, dignity, and equality.”
Police inspected the vehicle believed to have caused the harm, found crashed into a tree in Tiergarten park. Abdul B. is reported to have driven this vehicle and possibly injured people before abandoning it. Descriptions indicate he is around 1.9m tall, slim, with black hair, wearing a black hoodie and white pants.
A public alert urged citizens to avoid “direct contact” with Abdul B., citing potential danger as he might be armed.
Berlin’s Pride festival, drawing hundreds of thousands, came to an abrupt end with the attack. Events scheduled after 10:15 p.m. Saturday were cancelled in response to the emergency.
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