German police hunt Islamist suspect in Berlin Pride Van Attack Carnage

Berlin Pride horror: Police hunt Islamist suspect after van attack kills one

German police are hunting a suspected Islamist after a van ploughed into crowds near Berlin's annual Pride celebrations, killing at least one person and injuring 16 others.

The attack happened on Saturday evening near the city's Tiergarten Park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, just hours after thousands of people had gathered for the Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade.

One dead, 16 injured

Police said a white van drove into pedestrians before crashing into a tree. The driver fled the scene on foot and remains the subject of a major manhunt.

One person, believed to be a woman, was killed. At least three others suffered life-threatening injuries, while several more were seriously hurt.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as helicopters joined the search for the suspect.

Suspect linked to Islamist scene

Hours after the attack, Berlin police announced they had identified a suspect known to authorities.

A police spokesman said the individual is "known to the police as a member of the Islamist scene here in Berlin."

The suspect had not been arrested as of Saturday night, with officers continuing intensive search operations.

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Pride celebrations halted

The attack brought Berlin's annual Pride celebrations to an abrupt end.

Organisers ordered the event to be evacuated, urging people to leave calmly and avoid the Tiergarten area as police secured the scene.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned what he described as a "brutal attack" on a city that stands for freedom and tolerance.

"Our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today," he said.

Chancellor responds

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had been briefed on the incident and that his thoughts were with the victims.

Officials have urged the public not to speculate about the motive until investigators establish exactly what happened.

The attack comes as Europe remains on heightened alert following a series of vehicle attacks carried out by Islamist extremists in recent years.

SOURCE