The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Tiergarten Park as Christopher Street Day festivities were drawing to a close near the Brandenburg Gate. Witnesses reported hearing screams as a white van sped into pedestrians before crashing into a tree. The driver then fled the scene on foot, prompting one of Berlin's largest police searches in recent years.
Authorities have identified the suspect, a Berlin-born German citizen with Lebanese family roots. Police say he was previously known to law enforcement, had recently been released from a juvenile prison, and is believed to have connections to Islamist extremists. A nationwide appeal has been issued for information, with officers warning the suspect may be dangerous.
More than 2,000 police officers had already been deployed to secure the Pride event, allowing emergency responders to reach the scene within minutes. Fire officials confirmed one fatality and said three of the injured remain in critical condition, while dozens more people required medical attention for shock.
Investigators are also examining reports that several victims suffered stab wounds, although authorities have yet to determine exactly how those injuries were sustained.
The annual Christopher Street Day parade attracts hundreds of thousands of participants from across Europe and is one of Germany's largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ rights. Following the attack, organisers immediately cancelled the remaining events, ending concerts and displaying evacuation messages on giant screens as attendees were directed away from the area.
Mayor Kai Wegner described the attack as an assault on Berlin's open and diverse society, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed a full investigation and promised that those responsible would face justice.
The incident comes amid heightened concerns over security in Germany after a series of deadly attacks involving vehicles in recent years. While investigators continue to examine the suspect's background and possible motive, police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with photos or video of the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
