In brief
At around 10 pm Berliners gathered for the annual Pride event when a white van collided with the crowd near the Brandenburg Gate, killing one woman and leaving 29 injured. Police later identified the 21‑year‑old suspect, Abdul Ballout, as a radicalised individual linked to the Islamic State. He was shot dead by officers during a raid in Spandau. European leaders condemned the violence and called for solidarity and safety at future Pride celebrations.
One woman lost her life and at least 29 others were wounded when a vehicle collided with a crowd at Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day celebration on Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 10 pm local time near the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Tiergarten park, a popular route for the parade. A white van, believed to have been rented, plunged into the crowd, smashing people and a few columns before crashing into a tree.
Police moved the event to stop the celebration and ordered the crowd to evacuate. An emergency response was deployed within fifteen minutes, and by 1 am it was confirmed that one woman had died and many sustained injuries.
Investigators quickly linked the attack to a 21‑year‑old German citizen of Lebanese background, Abdul Ballout, with a history of radicalisation. He had travelled to Lebanon in 2025 intending to join the Islamic State and was later arrested and sentenced on several occasions, including for assault and robbery.
Ballout was shot dead during a police operation in Spandau on Sunday after allegedly threatening officers with a knife. Authorities said he was a known extremist and the attack was “likely an Islamist terror attack.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the assault as “heinous,” while EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, expressed solidarity and emphasized freedom, dignity and equality as core EU values.
Safety Notice: If you will attend Berlin Pride, ensure you stay updated on security advisories and remain near protective officers or safety zones.
