A tragedy unfolded in central Berlin on the evening of 25 July during the Christopher Street Day (CSD) LGBT Pride. A car deliberately drove into a crowd of participants, killing one person and injuring 16 others; three of the injured are in critical condition, DW reports.
According to police, the incident occurred after 10:00 p.m. in the Tiergarten park area near the Brandenburg Gate. Witnesses say a white car intentionally struck people taking part in the festive march.
Overnight of 26 July, law enforcement identified the suspected attacker. He turned out to be a 21-year-old Berlin resident who, according to preliminary information, is linked to Islamist circles in the German capital.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “disgusting crime.” According to a federal government spokesperson, the head of government remains in constant contact with law enforcement and is receiving real-time updates on the investigation.
Merz also spoke with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. They thanked emergency services for their swift response and said they would do everything possible to establish all the circumstances of the tragedy and bring those responsible to justice.
Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, called the incident “an attack on a free and open society.” He said the peaceful, festive event, which symbolises tolerance, became the target of a brutal assault.
Police are now determining whether the suspect acted alone or had accomplices. Investigators are also checking witness accounts that the attacker may have been armed with a bladed weapon resembling a machete and used it to injure several people.