A vehicle struck a crowd at Berlin’s LGBTQ+ Pride festivities on Saturday, resulting in one fatality and at least 15 injuries before the van collided with a tree, prompting authorities to halt the event and begin a manhunt for suspects.
Authorities reported that several victims sustained life‑threatening injuries, with firefighters, ambulances, and on‑site medical teams providing immediate care.
In a post on X, police instructed attendees to evacuate the area without delay.
Police stated that a white van entered Tiergarten park, adjacent to the earlier Pride march route, hit multiple pedestrians before striking a tree, and that a substantial police presence had been mobilized.
“We are carrying out an intensive search for possible suspects,” said Police Officer Florian Nath in a brief video shared on the Berlin police X account.
Police spokesperson Alexander Klute later told The Associated Press that, at this stage, investigators have no information regarding possible motives or the identity of those responsible.
Hundreds of thousands of participants had assembled in Berlin on Saturday for the city’s Pride parade, locally known as Christopher Street Day, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ gatherings.
The gathering near the Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten was halted around 10:15 p.m., interrupting a musical performance, and attendees were advised to return home and avoid park routes.
Prior to the incident, participants had celebrated peacefully for hours, marching through the city, dancing to loud music, and cheering approximately 80 parade floats.
Julian Miethig, who had attended the festivities at Brandenburg Gate earlier, said he was en route to an after‑party when a friend informed him that “something bad had occurred there, with numerous fire engines, emergency vehicles, and ambulances present.”
He proceeded to Tiergarten and expressed shock that such an incident could occur at Berlin’s Pride celebration.
“It’s a dark day for the community,” he remarked.
