German police are searching for a 21 year old man described by investigators as having ties to Islamist circles after a vehicle attack near Berlin’s Pride celebrations killed one person and injured at least 16 others.
Authorities identified the suspect only as Abdul B. A nationwide wanted notice issued Sunday warned that he may be armed and dangerous and urged the public not to approach him.
Police said the suspect is believed to have driven a white van into pedestrians in Tiergarten park late Saturday before fleeing the scene with one or more other people.
Investigators also said several victims appeared to have suffered stab wounds during the incident. Authorities have not explained how those injuries occurred and said the investigation remains ongoing.
Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath said the suspect was already known to law enforcement.
“The suspect is known to police. He is known to us as a member of Islamist circles here in Berlin, and our search for this person is proceeding at full speed,” Nath said.
He added that investigators have not determined a motive.
The attack occurred around 10 p.m. near the closing celebration of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day festival, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ events, held close to the Brandenburg Gate.
Police said the van struck multiple pedestrians before crashing into a tree.
A woman was killed.
Berlin’s fire service said three people suffered life threatening injuries. Eight others were seriously hurt, while five sustained less severe injuries.
Emergency crews evacuated the festival area shortly after the attack. Performances were halted as police secured the scene.
Officers searched several locations overnight, including an apartment in Berlin’s Schöneberg district believed to be connected to the suspect. No arrests had been made by Sunday.
The damaged van remained at the scene while forensic investigators examined evidence.
Julian Miethig, who attended the Pride celebration, said he was preparing to go to an after party when he learned about the attack.
“A friend told me something bad happened and there were many emergency vehicles,” he said.
“It’s a dark day for the community.”
Presenter Ricarda Hofmann, who hosted part of the Pride celebration, said the violence left her stunned.
“I was there not only as a moderator but as part of a community that comes together to be visible, to celebrate love and stand up for one another,” she wrote on social media.
“What happened today has changed something in me.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, calling it “an attack on our society.”
“What an abhorrent act in Berlin,” Merz wrote on X.
Germany is an open and freedom loving country, he said, adding that authorities would investigate the attack and pursue those responsible with the full force of the law.
The BBC said police expanded the manhunt across Berlin after recovering the suspected vehicle inside Tiergarten park. Officers described the suspect as about 1.9 meters tall with black hair, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and white trousers.
Authorities urged anyone with information to contact police immediately rather than confront the suspect.
Berlin’s Christopher Street Day celebration attracts hundreds of thousands of participants each year and is one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ events. Organizers canceled all remaining Pride activities scheduled for Sunday following the attack.
Investigators have not classified the case as terrorism and have not announced formal charges. While police confirmed the suspect’s reported links to Islamist circles, they emphasized that the motive remains under investigation and that no conclusions should be drawn until the evidence is fully examined.
The attack is likely to intensify debate in Germany over security at major public gatherings, particularly events involving minority communities. It also underscores the challenges authorities face in balancing public safety with ongoing investigations before establishing whether ideology, mental health or another factor motivated the violence.
Sources: Associated Press, BBC.
