Germany issues wanted notice after deadly Berlin Pride van attack

German authorities on Sunday issued a wanted notice for a 21-year-old suspect identified as Abdul B. after a white van plowed into a crowd near Berlin's Pride festival late Saturday night, killing one woman and injuring at least 16 others in what Chancellor Friedrich Merz called "an attack on our society."fox59+2

The Attack

The incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. local time on Saturday in Tiergarten Park, near the Brandenburg Gate, where thousands had gathered to celebrate Christopher Street Day — one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ pride events. According to Berlin police, the vehicle entered the park from Lennéstraße, struck multiple people, and collided with a tree before the driver fled on foot.npr+3

A woman died at the scene despite resuscitation attempts by first responders. Three others sustained life-threatening injuries, eight were seriously hurt, and five suffered minor injuries, Berlin's fire service said. The remainder of the pride celebrations were immediately cancelled.wikipedia+2

The Manhunt

Police and prosecutors on Sunday asked the public for help in locating Abdul B., whom they described as "known to police" and linked to "Islamist circles" in Berlin. Authorities warned he may be "armed and dangerous" and should not be approached. It remains unclear whether he acted alone — investigators said one or more people apparently left the vehicle after the crash.dw+2

More than 2,200 police officers had already been deployed across Berlin on Saturday to protect the pride festivities. The manhunt has since expanded into one of Germany's largest recent searches for a fugitive suspect.bbc+1

Political Response

Merz vowed Sunday to "make sure this horrific act is fully investigated and punished." Berlin's mayor said the city's freedom had "come under attack in the most horrific way."bbc+1

The attack drew immediate comparisons to the 2016 Christmas market truck attack in Berlin, which killed 13 people. Saturday's ramming marks the deadliest vehicle attack in Germany in nearly a decade and raises fresh questions about security at large public gatherings in the capital.