Germany launches manhunt after man rammed vehicle at Berlin pride event

Germany says Berlin Pride ramming was terrorist attack and hunts Islamist suspect

Berlin: German authorities have launched an intensive manhunt after a vehicle struck pedestrians near a major Pride celebration in Berlin, killing one person and injuring 29 others in what officials have described as an Islamist terrorist attack.

The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. local time on Saturday in Tiergarten park, close to the Brandenburg Gate and near activities marking Christopher Street Day, one of Europe's largest annual LGBTQ Pride events. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said eight of the injured sustained serious wounds, while emergency responders reported that three victims remained in life-threatening condition.

Addressing reporters in Berlin, Dobrindt said investigators believe the attack was ideologically motivated. "Everything we see here indicates that we are dealing with an Islamist terrorist attack," he said.

According to the minister, the suspect is a German-born man of Lebanese heritage who was born in 2005 and had previously come to the attention of security agencies because of criminal offences, radicalisation and links to Islamist circles.

Police later identified the suspect as Abdul B and appealed to the public for assistance in locating him. Authorities described him as slim, approximately 1.90 metres (6 feet 2 inches) tall, with black hair, and said he was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and white trousers. Officers also warned that he should not be approached because he is considered "possibly armed and dangerous."

Police identified suspect as Abdul B

Security officials told Reuters that the suspect was released from juvenile detention just two months ago and had allegedly attempted to establish contact with the Islamic State militant group. He was reportedly known to Germany's domestic intelligence service and listed among individuals regarded as potential security threats.

Investigators are also examining reports that some victims suffered stab wounds during the attack. Police have not ruled out the possibility that more than one person was involved, saying additional occupants may have exited the vehicle after it came to a stop.

Television footage from the scene showed a heavily damaged white van lodged against a tree, while Bild newspaper reported that the vehicle, a rented Citroën delivery van, had been hired by the suspect. Police also searched an apartment linked to him as part of the investigation.

Emergency responders assist a person on a stretcher at the site

In the wake of the attack, organisers cancelled the remaining Christopher Street Day events as authorities continued forensic examinations and security operations.

The incident comes at a politically sensitive time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government, which is facing criticism over its handling of domestic issues ahead of state elections scheduled in two months. Immigration and public security have become central campaign themes, particularly for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Responding to the attack, AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla posted on X: "We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance!"

The Berlin attack adds to a series of deadly vehicle assaults in Germany in recent years. In May, a driver believed to have mental health issues killed two people after driving into pedestrians in Leipzig. In 2016, Tunisian extremist Anis Amri carried out the Christmas market truck attack in Berlin that left 11 people dead before he was later shot by police in Italy.