Berliners, between sadness and doubt over security after multiple vehicle attack

A somber mood settled over Berlin's Tiergarten park as residents walked with serious expressions, voicing doubts about security in the wake of a multiple-vehicle attack that killed one person and injured 16 others. Authorities are still searching for a suspect described as being from the "Islamist spectrum."

"There's something broken in the atmosphere this morning," said Alex, a resident who walks up to 30,000 steps daily in the large park. He described the Saturday incident as "very dramatic," noting he had been at the Berlin LGBTI Pride festival shortly before a white van drove into the park and hit 17 people. Alex questioned the security, asking, "I don't know if there was a problem with the security setup or a supervision error... but ensuring 100% security, that's something that..."

Near the damaged vehicle, which remains cordoned off by police, drag queen artist Armin and his companion Christoph left candles and a rainbow flag in solidarity with the victims. "We were at the Brandenburg Gate stage, we've always come, for 27 years, and this morning we wanted to see how everything was going," Armin said. "We are really in 'shock'," he added, while Christoph commented, "It was only a matter of time before something like this happened."

Armin and Christoph questioned how the vehicle managed to travel nearly a kilometer through the park. Anna, Karsten, and Gabriela, three locals dressed for sports, shared their dismay. "It's known, always, that after the Pride festival people end up in the park, which is very big," Karsten noted, while Anna admitted their conversation revolved around the question: "How is it possible that the vehicle could get this far?"

"It's so shocking that something like this happened. The festival should have been something peaceful, and this happened," said Kia, a Berlin resident walking with her baby. Luisa and Roman, accompanying her, agreed. "I am sad. The event is really something so cool, so many people come together to celebrate their identity," Kia commented.