Berlin CSD canceled after vehicle hits crowd, killing one
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A vehicle crashed into people at Berlin's Christopher Street Day parade, killing at least one person and injuring others.
- Police are investigating the incident, which led to the cancellation of the event, and have not yet determined the motive.
- Berlin's mayor called the event an attack on the city's open society, while officials urged against speculation.
Berlin's Christopher Street Day parade was abruptly halted Saturday evening after a vehicle plowed into a crowd, killing at least one person and leaving others with life-threatening injuries. Police are actively searching for suspects and have not yet determined the motive behind the attack.
We are hunting for suspects with high pressure.
"We are hunting for suspects with high pressure," said police spokesperson Florian Nath in a video statement. He confirmed that the vehicle, described as a white car, drove parallel to Lennรฉstraรe in the Tiergarten area around 10 p.m., hitting several people.
Attack on our free and open society.
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the incident as a "brutal attack on our free and open society." He expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, thanking emergency services for their swift response. "Berlin is the city of freedom โ and our freedom has been brutally attacked today," Wegner stated.
Berlin is the city of freedom โ and our freedom has been brutally attacked today.
However, Berlin Senator Christian Gaebler, who is acting interior minister, urged the public and media to avoid speculation about the motive. "We cannot say anything about indications of a political or criminal background at the moment," Gaebler said, noting that the incident occurred in the Tiergarten, not within the parade itself, which complicated the situation. He expressed dismay that such an event occurred during a celebration of diversity and mutual respect.
We cannot say anything about indications of a political or criminal background at the moment.
Originally published by Sรผddeutsche Zeitung in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.