Suspect identified after van ploughs into crowd at Berlin pride parade, leaving one dead and more fighting for life
The suspect in an attack on a Berlin pride parade that left at least one person dead and several more fighting for life has ties to “Islamic circles”, according to German police.
Berlin Police have identified the man accused of driving a van drove through a crowd at the Christopher Street Day as 21-year-old Abdul B.
Police stand guard at the famous Brandenburg Gate following the deadly attack. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi
Nath told reporters that measures were underway against the man and that “our search for this person is proceeding at full speed”.
He said that he was already known to police and is from Berlin.
“Based on the investigators’ initial findings, we have already identified a suspected perpetrator,” Nath said.
“He is known to us as a member of Islamic circles here in Berlin.”
Abdul B is alleged to have injured several people with a moving vehicle in the Tiergarten area. Berlin Police
Abdul B is described as slim, approximately 190 centimetres tall, with black hair and was wearing a black hoodie and white pants.
“If you encounter this person, do not approach them under any circumstances and avoid direct contact,” Berlin Police said in a statement.
They may be armed and dangerous! Immediately contact the police emergency number 110.”
Earlier, Berlin police confirmed on X a vehicle drove into the Tiergarten park in the centre of the city, which was hosting an LGBTQ+ parade on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEST).
“Shortly before 10pm, the driver of a white vehicle is said to have struck several people,” Berlin Police said.
“There are numerous injured, including several with life-threatening injuries.”
Emergency personnel tend to a person on a stretcher after a van drove into a crowd of people at a pride march in Berlin. Andreas Rabenstein/dpa via AP
Berlin police said at least 17 people have been injured.
Police are still searching for “one or more suspects”, with witnesses urged to send any photos or videos in the lead-up to the incident that could show those responsible.
Police spokesman Alexander Klute told the Associated Press later that “at this point, we don’t know anything about any possible motives, the identity of the perpetrator or the perpetrators, or anything of that nature”.
Emergency personnel are still searching for the perpetrator. Fanny Brodersen
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed shock, saying that “following a peaceful and vibrant pride parade, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal manner”.
“This is an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society,” Wegner said.
“I have confidence in the police and security authorities, who will be working around the clock to investigate.”
Hundreds of thousands of people came to Berlin on Saturday to celebrate at Berlin’s pride parade, known in Germany as Christopher Street Day. It’s one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
The pride event in front of the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate in downtown was called off at 10.15pm and a band’s performance on stage was interrupted.
A person wrapped in a thermal blanket stands near emergency personnel. Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP
People were urged to go home and to avoid taking the route through the Tiergarten park.
Before the incident, people had celebrated peacefully, marching through the city for hours, dancing to loud music and cheering as about 80 floats participated in the parade.
Julian Miethig, who had attended the LGBTQ+ party at the Brandenburg Gate, said he just wanted to go to an after party when he heard from a friend that “something bad happened there and there are a lot of fire trucks, a lot of emergency vehicles, ambulances”.
He said he went to Tiergarten and was shocked that something like this could have happened at Berlin’s pride celebrations.
“It’s a dark day for the community,” he said.
- Reported with Associated Press
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