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Pride event in Berlin turns deadly, police identify suspect
A vehicle ploughed into a crowd near a Pride event in Berlin on Saturday night, killing one person and injuring 16 others. Police have launched a manhunt for a suspect identified as a known Islamist.The attack occurred at around 10 pm near the Brandenburg Gate, close to one of Europe’s largest annual LGBTQ Pride celebrations, Christopher Street Day. Eight people were seriously wounded, with three in life-threatening condition, emergency services said.The vehicle, described as a white Citroen Space Tourer delivery vehicle, drove into the Tiergarten park and struck multiple people before coming to a standstill after hitting a tree.
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Some of the injured had suffered stab wounds, police added.The Christopher Street Day organisers cancelled the remainder of the events, including a clean-up and a breakfast market. The pride celebration itself, which usually attracts around one million people, was also cancelled.“This cowardly, despicable attack on people celebrating peacefully has shaken me to my core,” German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said. “We will do everything to quickly investigate this horrific act and bring those responsible to justice.”
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Berlin police identified the suspect as Abdul B, 21, who was previously known to authorities as part of the “Islamist spectrum.” He is described as slim, around 1.9 metres tall, with black hair, and was last seen wearing a black hooded top and white trousers.Police warned he may be “armed and dangerous” and urged the public not to approach him. The manhunt has been widened across Berlin.It remains unclear whether the perpetrator acted alone. Police said more than one person may have got out of the vehicle after it came to a halt. Officers were seen searching woodland for evidence.The attack comes at a sensitive time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s unpopular coalition government, with state elections due in two months. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, campaigning on immigration and security, was quick to comment.“We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance!” AfD co-chief Tino Chrupalla said.
