Attack at Berlin Pride parade: Van hits crowd, one dead, 16 injured

Berlin is in shock after a van deliberately drove into a crowd participating in the Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade on Saturday night, killing one person and injuring 16 others. The incident occurred near the Brandenburg Gate in the Tiergarten area around 10 p.m., shattering the celebratory atmosphere of the annual event.

The driver of the white van fled the scene immediately after the crash, which sent the vehicle into a tree. Police have identified a suspect as a 21-year-old man known to authorities and reportedly associated with the Islamist scene in Berlin. The General Prosecutor's Office and the Berlin State Criminal Police Office are investigating the incident as an attack.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with firefighters reporting that three of the injured sustained life-threatening wounds, eight were seriously hurt, and five had minor injuries. A woman was confirmed dead at the scene. Many participants and onlookers were left in shock, with some requiring blankets for warmth and comfort as they were led away from the area.

The CSD parade, which celebrates LGBTQIA+ rights, equality, and diversity, was attended by several hundred thousand people. The motto for this year's event was "Haltung ist hot" (Attitude is hot). Following the attack, the event was immediately canceled at 10:15 p.m., leaving the queer community and the wider Berlin population reeling from the violence.

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The man is known to the police and is associated with the Islamist scene in Berlin.