Berlin Pride event leads to fatal accident, police identify suspect
A car plowed into a crowd near a Berlin Pride event on Saturday night, killing one person and injuring 16 others. Police have launched a manhunt for a suspect who is a known Islamist.The attack took place near the Brandenburg Gate at around 10pm, close to Christopher Street Day, one of Europe’s largest annual LGBTQ pride celebrations. Emergency services said eight people were seriously injured, three of whom were life-threatening.The transporter, described as a white Citroën Space Station Wagon, drove into the Tiergarten park, hitting multiple people before coming to a stop after hitting a tree.
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Some of the injured suffered stab wounds, police added.Christopher Street Day organizers have canceled remaining events, including clean-ups and breakfast markets. The Pride celebrations themselves, which usually draw about a million people, were also canceled.“I am completely shocked by this cowardly and despicable attack on a peaceful celebration,” German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said. “We will do everything we can to quickly investigate this horrific act and bring those responsible to justice.”
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Berlin police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B, who authorities had previously described as belonging to an “Islamist spectrum.” He is described as having a slim build, about 1.9 meters tall, with black hair, and was wearing a black hooded top and white pants when he disappeared.Police warned he could be “armed and dangerous” and urged the public not to approach him. The manhunt has expanded across Berlin.It is unclear whether the perpetrator acted alone. Police said more than one person may have gotten out of the car after it stopped. Police were seen searching woodland for evidence.The attack comes at a sensitive time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s unpopular coalition government, ahead of state elections in two months. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, which works on immigration and security issues, was quick to comment.“We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance!” said AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla.
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