Berlin Pride parade halted after vehicle strikes crowd in Tiergarten park
One person has died and 17 others were injured, some with life-threatening wounds, in an incident that authorities describe as a vehicle driving into a crowd at the Christopher Street Day event.
German police have confirmed that one person died and 17 others were injured after a vehicle reportedly drove into a crowd at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade in Berlin. The incident occurred late on Saturday in Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate and the southern side of the Tiergarten tunnel, prompting authorities to cancel the event and launch an intensive search for the suspect or suspects.
The attack interrupted a band’s performance at approximately 10:15 pm local time (20:15 GMT), ending a day of peaceful celebration that had drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees. Police spokesperson Florian Nath confirmed that an abandoned vehicle was found at the scene and that officers were conducting an intensive search for those responsible. Authorities urged the public to leave the premises immediately and avoid the Tiergarten area as emergency services treated the wounded on site.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt issued a joint statement condemning the violence, vowing that the perpetrators would be fully investigated and punished. Merz described the incident as a horrific act, while Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner stated on social media platform X that "freedom has come under attack in the most horrific way." The German government has pledged to ensure a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the vehicle strike.
Police have not yet identified the motive for the attack, nor have they confirmed the identity of the perpetrator or the number of individuals involved. Investigators are currently treating the incident as a deliberate act, with the abandoned vehicle serving as a key piece of evidence. The severity of the injuries remains under assessment, though officials confirmed that some victims sustained life-threatening wounds.
The Christopher Street Day parade, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, had proceeded peacefully for hours prior to the incident, featuring approximately 80 floats and a march through the city centre. Following the cancellation, authorities maintained a heavy security presence in the area while continuing their search for the suspect. The full extent of the investigation and the legal consequences for those involved are expected to unfold in the coming days.
