Berlin police say 1 killed, several injured after car drove into crowd

Berlin police launched an intensive manhunt following an incident on Saturday, 25 July 2026, in which a vehicle plowed into a crowd near a major Pride festival, according to reporting from multiple outlets. The annual event, known locally as Christopher Street Day, was abruptly called off as emergency services rushed to the scene.

Authorities confirmed that one person was killed and multiple individuals were injured, with several victims suffering life-threatening conditions. According to the Express, Berlin police spokesman Florian Nath stated that a small white minivan was driven into the central Tiergarten park along a road named Ahornsteig. The vehicle struck multiple people before ultimately coming to a standstill after hitting a tree. A police spokesperson at the scene stated that the vehicle was empty when authorities arrived, which is why law enforcement worked intensively to track down the suspect or suspects.

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Tabloid newspaper Bild reported, as cited by The Star and Manchester Evening News, that a mass casualty incident had been declared after the van was driven into the crowds at high speed. An eyewitness saw a man exit the vehicle and flee on foot.

Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital to celebrate Christopher Street Day, one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations. According to historical context provided in the reporting, the event commemorates the historic Stonewall uprising and combines festive parades with political demands for equality and inclusion, having grown from a smaller demonstration into a major fixture of the city's cultural and political calendar since its inception. Hours of peaceful celebration, music, dancing, and cheering alongside roughly eighty parade floats were shattered late in the evening.

The Pride event in front of the Brandenburg Gate was called off at approximately 10:15 p.m. Local time. A band's performance on stage was interrupted, and attendees were urged to go home and avoid taking the route through Tiergarten park. Organizers also posted instructions on Instagram instructing revelers to leave the area calmly and in an orderly manner, while police posted messages on social media directing everyone to leave the premises immediately.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed profound shock over the tragedy.

"Following a peaceful and vibrant pride parade, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal manner,"

Kai Wegner, Berlin Mayor, via CBC

He added that the incident represented an attack on the city's free and cosmopolitan society, noting that his thoughts were with the victims, their families, and friends, and expressing full confidence in the police and security authorities working around the clock to investigate.

Incident Overview and Response Timeline

• Parade and Festivities: Hundreds of thousands participate in Christopher Street Day celebrations, marching past the Brandenburg Gate and through the city.
• The Incident: A white vehicle drives into Tiergarten park near the parade route, striking pedestrians before colliding with a tree near Ahornsteig.
• Emergency Deployment: Fire department rescue units, ambulances, and police flood the park to treat the injured, while a police helicopter illuminates the site and local media reports a helicopter landing pad being set up near the Reichstag.
• Event Cancellation: Authorities halt the ongoing festival near the Brandenburg Gate, interrupting a band's performance and urging attendees to go home.
• Manhunt: Law enforcement launches an intensive search utilizing ground units and helicopters for one or more suspects.

Police spokesperson Alexander Klute told reporters that authorities currently possess no information regarding potential motives, the identities of the perpetrator or perpetrators, or anything of that nature. Security forces continue their around-the-clock investigation and search operations as the city deals with the aftermath of the tragedy.