One person was killed and at least 15 others injured after a car drove into a crowd during Berlin’s Christopher Street Day parade, Germany’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration, on Saturday evening.

Emergency response and police investigation

Berlin police confirmed the incident occurred near Tiergarten park, along the parade route. Some victims sustained life-threatening injuries, prompting a large-scale emergency response with firefighters and ambulances deployed to the scene.

In a statement on X, police urged attendees to leave the area immediately. Authorities launched an intensive manhunt for suspects, though no arrests had been made by late Saturday. A white vehicle was identified as the one that struck multiple people on Ahornsteig in Großer Tiergarten.

Parade canceled after peaceful start

The attack disrupted what had been a peaceful celebration, with hundreds of thousands of participants marching through Berlin’s streets. The event, which included 80 floats and live music, was called off around 10:15 p.m. near the Brandenburg Gate. Organizers advised attendees to avoid the park and return home.

Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, condemned the incident as “an attack on our free and open society” in a post on X. He thanked emergency services for their rapid response and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to tolerance.

What happens next

Police continue their search for the driver or drivers involved. Investigators have not yet determined whether the incident was deliberate or accidental. Updates are expected as the probe progresses.