A car deliberately driven into a crowd at Berlin Pride on Saturday night has killed one woman and injured 16 others. Police have launched an intensive manhunt for the suspect in the German capital, who remains at large. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident as a "heinous" attack.
Berlin Pride Ramming Attack Details
The incident occurred at approximately 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) when a white vehicle struck crowds gathered for the annual Christopher Street Day event in Berlin's Tiergarten park. Hundreds of thousands of people had assembled near the Brandenburg Gate for the celebration.
A performance was abruptly halted as organisers instructed the crowd to evacuate. Video footage posted on social media showed large numbers of people leaving the scene as emergency services arrived.
Suspect and Investigation
By 01:00 local time, police confirmed one fatality and 16 injuries. Authorities later located the vehicle believed to have been used in the attack, which had crashed into a tree. At approximately 03:30, police announced on X they had identified a suspect with Islamist links, though no arrest has been made and no motive has been formally suggested.
The search area was expanded to encompass the entire city, with thousands of police officers involved. On Sunday, officers were seen guarding an apartment block in the Tiergarten district, reported to be the suspect's residence. Police have named the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B.
German law currently prohibits naming suspects, hence the withholding of his surname. Police sources indicate Abdul B is known for connections to Islamist circles and reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to join the Islamic State group. Media reports suggest he travelled to Lebanon in 2025, was arrested upon his return to Berlin, and was subject to pre-trial detention until May 2026, during which he was ordered to participate in a de-radicalisation programme.
Authorities believe Abdul B is connected to the abandoned vehicle. However, police have not ruled out the possibility that others may have fled the car, indicating potential additional suspects. Reports also suggest that several individuals sustained injuries from stabbing weapons during the attack, further complicating the investigation.
Official Condemnations and Public Appeal
Police have urged the public to come forward with information but cautioned against approaching the suspect, whom they believe to be armed and dangerous. At the time of the attack, Abdul B was described as thin, approximately 6ft 2", and was reportedly wearing a black hooded top and white trousers.
European leaders have strongly condemned the attack. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy, stating the Pride event embodies "freedom, dignity, and equality." Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten affirmed his country's solidarity with Germany, while Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni conveyed similar sentiments.
The UK's Defence Secretary Wes Streeting labelled the incident "an absolutely horrific disaster." The investigation into the Berlin Pride ramming attack continues, with authorities seeking any information that could assist their efforts.
