Updated July 26, 2026 at 2:45 AM EDT

At least one person is dead and several people are injured after a vehicle drove into the crowd at a Pride event in Berlin on Saturday, in what German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called "an attack on our society."

Berlin police said they have identified a suspect who "is known to police" and has links to "Islamist circles." Police have launched a manhunt for the 21-year-old who they identified only as Abdul B.

"If you encounter the suspect, immediately dial 110! Do not approach him, he may be armed and dangerous!" police warned the public, adding he was believed to be wearing a black hoodie and white pants.

A driver in white vehicle struck several people before 10:00 p.m. local time, according to Berlin police. At least 17 people are injured and several have life threatening injuries, according to Berlin police.

The incident occurred in Tiergarten Park, one of the largest parks in Berlin, where an LGBTQ+ celebration was taking place.

One or more people are believed to have subsequently fled the vehicle. And police said several people are reported to have been injured with stabbing weapons.

Chancellor Merz on Sunday called the incident " a heinous act" on X and said "we are open and freedom-loving—and we will preserve and defend that."

Kai Wegner, the governing mayor of Berlin, called the incident an "attack on our free and cosmopolitan society."

"Berlin is the city of freedom – and our freedom has been horribly attacked today," Wegner said in a post on social media. "My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends… And I have confidence in the police and security authorities, who will investigate with the utmost urgency."

Earlier in the day, thousands marched through Berlin to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights during the annual Christopher Street Day Parade, a pride parade. One of Europe's largest pride events, the celebration was called off after the attack.

Additional reporting by Kate Bartlett.

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