Suspect named after vehicle drives into Berlin’s Pride parade, killing at least one and leaving 16 more injured

Several people are also reported to have been stabbed, Berlin police say, after the driver allegedly attacked people with a knife after the collision at Großer Tiergarten on the west side of Berlin on Saturday.

The police believe one or more people fled the vehicle after the collision. A white van suspected of being used in the attack was found abandoned in the park after crashing into a tree.

The suspect has been named as Abdul B., a 21 year old who police say is "known to them and associated with the islamist scene".

Police have warned people not to approach him as he may be "armed and dangerous" while they are conducting an extensive manhunt across the whole of Berlin after he is “believed to have fled the vehicle” after the collision.

He is described as having black hair and a “slim build” and was wearing a black hoodie and white trousers. Police have asked witnesses to send in photographs or videos.

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Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital for the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations, one of Europe's largest LGBTQ events, before the apparent attack brought it to an abrupt end.

Berlin Police cancelled the Pride march and urged attendees to leave the area immediately.

It is too early to say whether the motive behind the collision was terrorism, German police say.

Kai Wegner, the outgoing mayor of Berlin, described the incident as an “attack” on Germany’s “free and open society”.

In a post on X, Mr Wegner said: “Berlin is the city of freedom - and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today.”

He added: “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. I thank the emergency services who were immediately on site and did everything in their power.

"And I trust the police and security authorities, who will investigate at full speed.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called it a "horrific act" and promised to fully investigate the incident and punish the perpetrator, according to local media.

Zack Polanski, the UK Green Party leader, also wrote a message of support on X, saying he is “sending all my love and solidarity to Berlin.”

At least 16 injured people are being treated by first responders, and the area has been cordoned off by emergency services.

Police have asked people to avoid the area and give it plenty of room when driving around it.

The Tiergarten park is close to the route of Berlin's LGBTQ+ Pride parade, Christopher Street Day Parade.

On X, police said: "We are currently deployed with numerous police forces as well as rescue units from the Berlin Fire Department in the Großer Tiergarten.

"It is presumed that a vehicle has driven into the Tiergarten here, has struck and injured several people.

In a video posted to X, spokesman Florian Nath said: "We are now at the scene with a strong police presence and paramedics from the Berlin fire service and other organisations.

"A vehicle allegedly drove into the park and hit several people, apparently injuring them. This is why there are now several patients being treated by the Berlin fire service in the area of the [...] Tiergarten.

"We are searching for possible suspects and will update when we have more information."

He said that several are being resuscitated at the scene, and others are being treated for life-threatening injuries according to Nath.

In video footage, crowds can be seen giving way to emergency vehicles who race through the streets.

Attendees can be seen watching the vehicles as the parade takes on a sombre tone.