German authorities have issued a wanted notice for a suspect in a deadly van ramming near Berlin’s Pride festival, which has been described as an Islamist attack. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt named the main suspect as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout. German media reported that he was a supporter of Islamic State and had a criminal conviction in May.
Dobrindt said all the evidence from Saturday night’s attack, which killed one person and wounded at least 16, pointed to Islamist terrorism. “We are dealing with a suspected perpetrator who had previously drawn attention through a high number of criminal offenses, radicalization, and ties to the Islamist scene,” he told a press conference near the attack site.
Police and prosecutors have asked for help finding Ballout, who is a German citizen. They said he is believed to have injured several people with a moving vehicle on Saturday night, and that one or more people apparently left that vehicle afterward. Several people were also reportedly stabbed, they added.
Sunday’s notice warned the public to avoid “direct contact” with the suspect, saying he may be armed and dangerous.
Police had earlier said they identified a suspect with ties to Islamist groups in Berlin. “The suspect is known to police. He is known to us as a member of Islamist circles here in Berlin, and our search for him is moving at full speed,” said police spokesperson Florian Nath. Nath added that “we still have no information about his specific motives, the exact sequence of events, or his role in the crime itself.”
German media reported on Sunday that the main suspect traveled to the Middle East last year in a failed attempt to join Islamic State. He was then convicted in Germany of “preparing a serious act of subversive violence,” according to Bild and Spiegel newspapers.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to punish those responsible. The attack forced organizers to cut short one of Europe’s largest Pride events, and comes as Germany remains on edge after a series of deadly vehicle and knife attacks.
Hours after the apparent attack, many details were still unclear, but police said the vehicle struck multiple people after driving into Berlin’s central Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate. Police said those hurt “included several with life-threatening injuries.”
The driver of a white van swerved into the Tiergarten shortly before 10 p.m., close to the route of the Pride march earlier that day, hitting people on a path and crashing into a tree, police said. “[The vehicle] was empty, which is why we are currently working hard to track down the perpetrator or perpetrators,” police said. Tabloid Bild cited a witness saying a man got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.
A manhunt involving helicopters and officers from several German states was underway across the capital on Sunday.
Berlin fire department spokesperson Dominik Pretz said one person died and at least 16 others were injured. Emergency workers set up a helicopter landing pad near the Reichstag parliament building to transport the injured to hospitals.
Merz said in a statement that he and Dobrindt would “push to make sure this horrific act is fully investigated and punished.”
Julian Methig, who attended the event, described it as a terrible day. “It’s one of the worst days for the queer community and a day I personally hoped I’d never have to experience … I’m shocked.”
Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in the German capital.In the warm summer sunshine, people gathered to celebrate the Pride parade. In Germany, this event is known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), named after the site of the Stonewall Inn in New York City, where riots against police raids sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. CSD was first held in West Berlin in 1979.
Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, called the deadly attack “an assault on our free and open society.” He said on X, “After a peaceful and colorful CSD, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal way. Berlin is the city of freedom – and our freedom was attacked today in the most appalling manner. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends.”
For the first time in its history, CSD kicked off on Friday night this year with a pro-democracy political rally. Berlin will hold a state election in September. The parade on Saturday ran under the motto “Taking a stand is hot,” which organizers said was “a response to growing hostility” toward queer people in Germany.
More than 80 floats and 50 groups on foot joined the procession through the city center, passing Potsdamer Platz and the Victory Column monument in the Tiergarten, ending with a rally at the Brandenburg Gate.
Earlier in the day, one person was arrested for resisting police orders at a far-right counterprotest. Before last year’s Pride parade, Berlin LGBTQ+ organizations raised the alarm that attacks had become more frequent while hard-won rights were under threat. Campaigners said the rise in hostility has coincided with growing support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, now the most popular party in national opinion polls, as well as an increase in Islamist-inspired attacks.
European leaders showed solidarity. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X, “Italy firmly condemns and opposes all forms of hate and extremism. We stand with Germany and the German people.” French President Emmanuel Macron said, “In the face of hatred and violence, our response will always be unity, freedom, and resolve.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a German center-right politician allied with Merz, expressed her deepest sympathy to the victims of the attack, describing the Christopher Street Day parade as standing for “freedom, dignity, and equality – the fundamental values of the EU.” UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he was “horrified by the appalling attack in Berlin” and added that he had spoken to his counterpart, Johann Wadephul, “to convey the UK’s solidarity: we stand with Germany.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the incident you described written in a natural tone with clear and direct answers
FAQs Berlin Pride Attack
1 What exactly happened at Berlin Pride
A suspect attacked people during the Berlin Pride event resulting in one person being killed and 16 others injured Police are currently searching for the person responsible
2 Is the suspect in custody
No As of the latest reports police are still searching for the suspect They have not made an arrest
3 Was this a terrorist attack
Police have not officially confirmed a motive yet They are investigating all possibilities including whether it was a targeted hate crime or a random act of violence
4 How did the attack happen
Details are still emerging but reports indicate the suspect used a weapon to attack people in a crowded area
5 Where exactly did the attack take place
The attack occurred in the area of the Berlin Pride celebrations which is a large public event Specific streets or locations near the parade route are being investigated
6 Who was the person who died
Authorities have not released the victims identity publicly yet pending notification of their family
7 Are the 16 injured people in critical condition
Some of the injured are in serious condition while others have less severe injuries Hospitals in Berlin are treating them
8 What should I do if I have information about the suspect
You should contact Berlin police immediately Do not approach the suspect yourself Look for official hotline numbers or local police station contact details
9 Is there a description of the suspect
Police have released a general description but are asking the public for any specific sightings Check official police social media for the latest details
10 Why is it taking so long to find the suspect
Searching for a suspect in a large crowded city like Berlin is complex Police are reviewing CCTV interviewing witnesses and following leads which takes time
11 Was the attack related to Pride or the LGBTQ community
This is a key line of investigation Given the target police are treating it as a potential hate crime but they have not confirmed the motive
