German Police Hunt Suspect After Car Ploughs into Berlin Pride Parade Crowd

German police launched a large-scale manhunt on Sunday for a suspect believed to be linked to Islamist circles after a car ploughed into a crowd near Berlin’s Gay Pride celebrations, killing one person and injuring 16 others. The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, abruptly halting the Christopher Street Day festivities, one of Europe’s largest Pride events. Attendees fled the central city park amid the wail of emergency sirens. Police confirmed that the suspected vehicle, a minivan or small SUV, was found abandoned a few hundred metres from the event site in Tiergarten Park. Police spokesman Florian Nath stated that investigators had identified the suspect’s identity, though no arrest had yet been made. He added that investigators believe the suspect has ties to ‘Islamist circles’. ‘A vehicle entered the Tiergarten Park area and struck several people,’ police said. Berlin fire service spokesman Dominik Pretz confirmed the impact of the incident. One person was reported dead and 16 others were injured, including three with life-threatening conditions. Additionally, around 30 people received treatment for shock at the scene. Helicopters and police personnel from various German states were deployed to comb every corner of the capital to apprehend the perpetrator. An eyewitness near the main stage close to the Brandenburg Gate said the celebration came to a sudden halt as police asked the crowd to disperse. ‘Please go home,’ officers told attendees as the crowd began to leave the park area. The act of violence immediately evoked memories of a series of deadly attacks that have shaken Germany in recent years, reigniting fierce debate over national security. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserted that those responsible would be brought to justice. In an official statement, Merz called the incident a ‘terrible act’ and confirmed that he and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt were continuously monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner strongly condemned the event, calling it a brutal attack on ‘a gathering for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin.’ Prior to the incident, police had deployed more than 2,000 officers to secure the event. After the ramming occurred, additional personnel from across Germany were deployed to support the search operation, complete with helicopter assistance using thermal imaging camera technology.