Berlin’s famed Pride festival was shattered on Saturday night when a white van tore into crowds gathered in Tiergarten park, killing one person and injuring at least sixteen others. The violent incident forced police to abruptly shut down the celebrations and cancel a concert only hours after the festivities had begun.
Police say they have identified a suspect a man known to authorities for ties to extremist Islamic circles in Berlin though he has not yet been arrested. “The suspect is known to police… and our search for this person is proceeding at full speed,” spokesman Florian Nath said. He added that investigators still have no clarity on the suspect’s motive, his precise role, or the full sequence of events.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene around 10 p.m. after the van drove into Tiergarten, near the route of the Pride march, striking multiple people before crashing into a tree. Some victims suffered life‑threatening injuries, prompting police to urge attendees via social media to leave the area immediately as ambulances and firefighters worked to stabilise the wounded.
More than 2,200 police officers had been deployed across Berlin to safeguard Pride events throughout the day, but the sudden attack plunged the city into chaos. Witnesses reported confusion and panic as officers began cordoning off the park and conducting urgent interviews. Police are also investigating accounts suggesting some victims may have suffered stab wounds, though they stressed it is too early to draw conclusions.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the attack, saying the city had been targeted “in the most brutal manner” after a peaceful and vibrant parade celebrating tolerance and diversity.
The investigation continues as Berlin grapples with the shock of an attack on one of its most cherished annual events.
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