At a Pride event in central Berlin a vehicle was driven into a crowd on Saturday night, leaving one person dead and at least 16 injured, authorities have said. Police described several of the injured as having life‑threatening wounds and closed the area around the Tiergarten as emergency teams responded.
Immediate reaction and official statements
Witnesses said people screamed and scattered after seeing a car move quickly into the gathering. Media on the ground reported attendees running into the nearby park to hide as emergency services arrived. Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, condemned the incident as an assault on the city’s values and thanked responders for their prompt action.
"Berlin is a city of freedom—and today, our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their friends. I thank the emergency responders who were immediately on the scene and did everything in their power to help."
Police response and investigation
Officers set up a hotline for relatives as they continued their enquiries. Earlier updates from police said there was an active manhunt for one or more suspects connected with the incident. The city centre location was cordoned off while investigators and emergency crews worked at the scene.
What is known so far
- Fatalities: 1 confirmed dead.
- Injured: At least 16 people wounded, some critically.
- Scene: Area near Tiergarten park, central Berlin; Pride event attendees affected.
- Police action: Road closures, manhunt under way, hotline established for relatives.
Reporting at the scene noted the area had earlier been filled with people wearing rainbow colours and celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride. The scale of the event meant a large number of participants were present when the car struck the crowd.
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Confirmed dead | 1 |
| Number injured | 16+ (some life‑threatening) |
Authorities have asked anyone with information to assist the ongoing investigation. As the situation develops, police and city officials said they would provide further updates. The mayor’s description of the attack as an assault on an "open‑minded society" framed the incident not only as a criminal act but as an affront to civic values cherished in Berlin and beyond.
