Berlin, Germany. One person was killed and 17 others were injured, including three in life-threatening condition, after a vehicle drove into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride celebrations on Saturday evening, police said. Authorities identified a member of Berlin’s Islamist scene as a suspect and launched measures to locate him.
Investigation underway
Police said the vehicle entered the central Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate at about 10 p.m. local time, striking several people before coming to a stop after hitting a tree.
The vehicle was empty when officers arrived, prompting an intensive search for the perpetrator or perpetrators, a police spokesperson said.
Police described the vehicle as white and said it may have been a car, minivan or minibus. Bild, citing a witness, reported that it was a van and that a man got out and fled on foot.
Casualties and emergency response
A fire brigade spokesperson said eight of the injured people suffered serious injuries, with three in life-threatening condition.
A large number of emergency service vehicles were deployed to the scene.
Pride event disrupted
Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital for the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ events, before the incident brought the event to an abrupt end.
“It’s one of the worst days for the queer community and a day I personally hoped I’d never have to experience… I’m shocked,” attendee Julian Miethig said.
