German authorities have launched a large-scale manhunt for a 21-year-old suspect, identified as Abdul B., following a van ramming incident near Berlin's annual Pride festival that killed one person and injured at least 16 others. The attack occurred Saturday evening in Tiergarten park, close to the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade's closing events.
Police described Abdul B. as slim, approximately 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches) tall, with black hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and white bottoms. Authorities have warned the public not to approach him, as he may be armed and dangerous.
Investigators are treating the incident as a suspected extremist attack, though a specific motive has not yet been disclosed. Police spokesperson Florian Nath stated that the suspect is known to police and has ties to "Islamic circles" in Berlin. "Our search for this person is proceeding at full speed," Nath said.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the event, calling it "an attack on our society." He added, "Germany loves freedom, and we will preserve and defend that."
The white van plowed into a crowd of people in Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. before colliding with a tree. The incident occurred as a closing party for the Pride festival was underway, following a parade that had featured approximately 80 floats earlier in the day. In addition to the fatality, Berlin's fire service reported that three people sustained life-threatening injuries, eight were seriously injured, and five had minor injuries.
Emergency services, including firefighters and ambulances, responded to the scene. The Pride event near the Brandenburg Gate was canceled shortly after the incident, and attendees were urged to leave the area in an orderly manner.
Authorities are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information regarding the suspect's whereabouts, emphasizing the importance of avoiding direct confrontation.
The incident unfolded during one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, which had drawn hundreds of thousands of participants to the city.