German authorities on Sunday issued a wanted notice for a fugitive suspect in a van-ramming attack near Berlin’s Pride festival that left one person dead and injured at least 16 others, according to Apnews reports. Police and prosecutors asked for public assistance in finding the 21-year-old suspect, identified in a WSJ report as Abdul Ballout and in police statements as Abdul B., a German citizen of Lebanese descent.
Manhunt Underway for Fugitive Suspect in Berlin Pride Attack
According to CNN, investigators are treating the incident as a suspected terrorist incident. The main suspect had previously been investigated for planning a terrorist attack, a person familiar with the investigation told the WSJ. Sunday’s police notice warned the public to avoid direct contact with the suspect, noting that he may be armed and dangerous. Police spokesperson Florian Nath stated that the suspect is known to authorities as a member of Islamic circles in Berlin, though investigators initially lacked information on his specific motives.
How the Van-Ramming Unfolded Near Christopher Street Day
The attack occurred late Saturday evening as the closing party of Berlin Pride, known as Christopher Street Day, was ongoing next to the Brandenburg Gate. Earlier in the day, hundreds of thousands of people had gathered to celebrate one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ events, featuring a parade with roughly 80 trucks. More than 2,200 police officers had been on duty since Saturday morning to protect the festivities.
According to Al Jazeera, a white car or van drove into the city’s central Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. near the route of the Pride march, hitting several people before colliding with a tree and being abandoned. Police and prosecutors stated that one or more people apparently left the vehicle after the impact, and multiple individuals were reported injured by stabbing weapons.
The attack prompted officials to call off the Pride event around 10:15 p.m., interrupt a stage performance, and urge attendees to go home immediately and avoid the park route. Berlin’s fire service reported that a woman was killed, three people sustained life-threatening injuries, eight were seriously injured, and five suffered slight injuries, bringing the total injured count to at least 16.
Emergency Operations and National Condemnations
As the manhunt proceeded at full speed, police conducted operations across the city, including a search of an apartment in Berlin’s Schöneberg district in the early hours of Sunday where no one was found.
German leaders strongly condemned the violence. Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the incident as an abhorrent act and an attack on German society, writing on X that Germany loves freedom and will preserve and defend it. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called the attack brutal and an assault on a free and cosmopolitan society. International officials also responded, with Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema noting that authorities were closely monitoring security for World Pride events in the Netherlands following the Berlin tragedy.
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- Berlin Pride Van Attack Kills One and Injures 16 Near Tiergarten Park (archyworldys.com)
- Berlin Pride Attack: One Dead, Many Injured as Police Hunt Suspect (archynewsy.com)