RismadarVoice Reporters, July 26, 2026
German authorities have launched a manhunt for a 21-year-old suspect following a deadly incident in which a van drove into a crowd near Berlin’s annual Pride celebrations, leaving one person dead and at least 16 others injured.
The incident occurred late Saturday near Tiergarten Park, close to the venue of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) festival, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ events, attended by hundreds of thousands of people earlier in the day.
According to German police and prosecutors, the suspect, identified only as Abdul B. in line with the country’s privacy laws, remains at large. Investigators have appealed to the public for assistance in locating him, warning that he should be considered armed and dangerous and advising against any direct contact.
Police said the suspect is known to law enforcement and has previously been linked to Islamic circles in Berlin. However, investigators stressed that the motive behind the attack has not yet been established.
“The suspect is known to the police. He is known to us as a member of Islamic circles here in Berlin, and our search for this person is proceeding at full speed,” Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath said, adding that authorities were still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to investigators, a white van drove into pedestrians in Tiergarten Park at about 10 p.m. before crashing into a tree.
Authorities said one woman died in the attack, while emergency services reported that three victims sustained life-threatening injuries, eight others suffered serious injuries and five sustained minor injuries.
Police are also investigating reports that some victims may have suffered stab wounds during the incident. Officials said it was too early to determine whether those injuries were directly connected to the vehicle attack.
The incident forced organisers to abruptly end the Pride celebrations near the Brandenburg Gate, where the closing ceremony was underway. A live musical performance was interrupted as police urged participants to leave the area and avoid routes passing through Tiergarten Park.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt condemned the incident, describing it as a “cowardly” attack on people who had gathered peacefully to celebrate.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner also expressed shock over the violence, describing it as an assault on the city’s values of tolerance, diversity and openness.
“Following a peaceful and vibrant Pride parade, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked most brutally,” the mayor said.
“This is an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society.”
Authorities said more than 2,200 police officers had been deployed across Berlin to secure the Pride parade and associated events before the attack occurred.
Following the incident, investigators cordoned off the area and began interviewing witnesses while forensic teams examined the scene.
Police have appealed to members of the public who witnessed the attack or captured photographs or videos to provide the material to investigators to assist ongoing inquiries.
A crisis hotline has also been established for families seeking information about relatives or friends who may have been affected.
Before the incident, thousands of participants had marched peacefully through Berlin, celebrating LGBTQ+ rights with music, dancing and colourful floats during the annual Christopher Street Day parade.
One participant, Julian Miethig, said he had been preparing to attend an after-party when he learned of the attack.
He said he rushed to the area and was shocked that such violence could occur during what had been a peaceful celebration. “It is a dark day for the community,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the suspect remained at large while investigations into the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack continued.
