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Berlin police said a white van entered Tiergarten park shortly before 10 p.m. on July 25 and struck multiple people before hitting a tree near the route of the city’s annual Christopher Street Day Pride march. One person was killed at the scene and 17 others were injured, some with life-threatening conditions, according to statements released to outlets including the Associated Press and Reuters. Emergency services treated the wounded at the location close to the Brandenburg Gate while officers sealed off the area and canceled the remainder of the festival along with an evening concert. The force described the incident as a deliberate act under investigation as a potential attack.
Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B. and released his image on July 26 along with a physical description of a slim man approximately 1.9 meters tall with black hair who was last seen in a black hoodie and white pants. Police linked the suspect to the Islamist scene in Berlin in updates shared with DW and other agencies though they have released few additional details on his background or possible motive. The manhunt remained active across the capital with federal support as officers appealed for tips from the public and warned against approaching the individual. A Reuters dispatch noted that the search had expanded to include possible escape routes from the park.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner voiced shock at the targeting of the LGBTQ+ celebration which ranks among Europe’s largest such gatherings according to longstanding event records. The mayor called for unity in the aftermath as the city absorbed the impact of the violence that halted proceedings hours after they started. Fire department officials confirmed the casualty count separately and said responders had transported several victims to area hospitals for urgent care. The Associated Press reported that the mayor’s remarks underscored the broader implications for public events in the capital.
The suspected vehicle was located inside Tiergarten park where forensic teams began examinations for evidence as part of the ongoing probe detailed in police briefings. Witnesses described scenes of panic as crowds dispersed following the impact with some video captured at the location showing immediate response efforts. Coverage from multiple organizations including on-scene reporting aligned with initial law enforcement accounts of the sequence of events. DW indicated that the Pride activities had drawn significant attendance before the disruption forced an early end.
German officials have maintained elevated security at large festivals since the 2016 Berlin Christmas market truck attack that claimed 12 lives according to established law enforcement timelines. Patterns in interior ministry assessments have highlighted vulnerabilities at events celebrating diversity though specific threat levels for this year’s Pride were not disclosed in initial statements. The latest incident has prompted fresh reviews of protective measures for upcoming summer gatherings across the city. Reuters reporting placed the attack in the context of prior vehicle ramming cases in Europe.
As the manhunt entered its second day on July 26 no arrest had been made despite intensive efforts by Berlin police and supporting units. The force continued to urge anyone with information on Abdul B.’s whereabouts to contact them without delay. Investigators were cross-checking surveillance from the park and surrounding streets to reconstruct the suspect’s movements after the van came to a stop. Additional updates were expected as the case developed through the weekend.
