A tragic incident occurred at Berlin’s notable LGBTQ+ event on Saturday night, where a van collided with a crowd, resulting in the death of one person and injuring at least 16 others. Following this, police canceled the festivities and a concert in the German capital shortly after they had begun.
The police stated that some victims suffered life-threatening injuries. On the social media platform X, police urged everyone to evacuate the event’s location promptly as ambulances and firefighters responded to the situation. Police officer Florian Nath conveyed in a short video on the Berlin police account that they are conducting an intensive search for potential suspects. Police spokesperson Alexander Klute mentioned to The Associated Press that they currently lack information about possible motives or the identity of those involved.
White Van Incident in Tiergarten Park
Police reported a white van had driven into Tiergarten park, adjacent to the pride march route used earlier. The van struck several people before colliding with a tree around 10 p.m. The police could not specify the number of officers deployed to the scene, but they confirmed a significant police presence. More than 2,200 police officers were on duty that day, safeguarding the pride parade and other LGBTQ+ events in the city.
Police conducted witness interrogations in the park during the night. Accounts suggested some victims might have suffered stab wounds alongside the crash injuries; however, it is too early to draw conclusions from these reports.
Response and Investigation
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed his shock and stated that the attack was a brutal assault on a peaceful and inclusive event. He assured that the police and security authorities are diligently working to investigate the matter. Authorities urged potential witnesses to provide any videos or photos taken at the scene.
A crisis hotline was activated for those missing friends or family members. Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in Berlin on Saturday to partake in the pride parade, known in Germany as Christopher Street Day, one of Europe’s significant LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Iconic Event Called Off
The pride event near the Brandenburg Gate, adjacent to Tiergarten, was called off around 10:15 p.m. A band performance on stage was interrupted, and attendees were advised to return home and avoid traversing through the park. Prior to the incident, people celebrated peacefully, marching through the city for hours, enjoying music, and supporting around 80 floats that took part in the parade.
Julian Miethig, an attendee of the LGBTQ+ event at the Brandenburg Gate, commented that he was preparing to attend an afterparty when informed by a friend about the unfortunate events involving numerous emergency vehicles. He expressed disbelief that such an incident occurred during Berlin’s pride celebrations, describing it as a somber day for the community.