Car crashes into Berlin Gay Pride parade, killing 1 and injuring 15; event canceled
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A car plowed into crowds at the Berlin Gay Pride parade, killing one person and injuring at least 15.
- Police immediately canceled the event, which had just begun hours earlier.
- Authorities are actively searching for the suspect.
Tragedy struck Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade on Saturday when a car drove into the festive crowd, resulting in one fatality and at least 15 injuries. Police swiftly canceled the large-scale LGBTQ+ pride event, which had commenced just hours before the incident.
The vehicle reportedly entered Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate, a location along the parade route. Witnesses described a white van accelerating into multiple individuals before crashing into a tree. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene to provide aid to the injured.
Police confirmed a significant law enforcement presence and stated they were actively pursuing the suspect. The CSD parade is one of Europe's largest pride events, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants to the German capital for a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and culture. The sudden cancellation cast a somber shadow over the festivities.
Details regarding the motive behind the driver's actions remain unclear as authorities continue their investigation and search for the individual responsible. The incident has sent shockwaves through the city, highlighting the vulnerability of public gatherings.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.