Berlin Pride attack believed to be act of Islamic extremist terror, says Germany

The attack happened late on Saturday night when a white vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in Tiergarten park, just a few hundred metres from the Christopher Street Day Pride festival near Brandenburg Gate.Christopher Street Day organisers later cancelled the remainder of the festival. (Photo: Reuters/X)Germany has launched a massive manhunt after a deadly attack near Berlin's annual Pride celebrations left one person dead and at least 29 others injured. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Sunday that "everything we are seeing here indicates that we have experienced an Islamist terror attack".The attack happened late on Saturday night when a white vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in Tiergarten park, just a few hundred metres from the Christopher Street Day Pride festival near Brandenburg Gate, which is one of Europe's biggest annual LGBTQ Pride celebrations. Authorities said the suspect then got out of the vehicle and attacked people with a bladed weapon, believed to be a machete, causing further injuries.Speaking at a press conference, Dobrindt described the aftermath as a "horrific scene". He said the attacker deliberately rammed the vehicle into pedestrians before launching the knife attack."This cowardly, despicable attack on people celebrating peacefully has shaken me to my core," Dobrindt said, adding that the government would do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. "Our thoughts, grief and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and the injured," the minister added.Authorities said the attack happened around 10 pm (local time) in Tiergarten park. The victims included people attending the Pride celebrations as well as others who were walking through the area or travelling to and from the festival. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner defended the extensive security arrangements around the Pride event, saying the festival itself was not breached because police had secured the main venue."The festival site was not attacked because the perpetrator wasn't able to make it there," Wegner said. He noted, however, that the attack occurred roughly 400 metres away in an area where many people were moving between the event and surrounding streets.Christopher Street Day organisers later cancelled the remainder of the festival.WHO IS THE SUSPECT IN BERLIN PRIDE ATTACK?Berlin Police have identified the prime suspect as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, also known as Abdul B. Investigators have released his photograph and appealed for public help in finding him.Police described him as around 1.90 metres tall with black hair. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and white trousers.Authorities said the suspect had already been known to police and had a history of criminal offences. According to Dobrindt, he had previously been radicalised and was known to security agencies as part of the Islamist scene.The minister said the suspect is a German citizen of Lebanese background. He was born in Germany in 2004 after his mother became a naturalised German citizen in 2002.Dobrindt revealed that the suspect had previously been sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison, but the sentence was later suspended and converted to parole. He added that prosecutors had unsuccessfully appealed that decision.German media also reported that the suspect had attempted to travel to Lebanon in 2025 to join the Islamic State group. Police sources quoted in local reports said he was arrested after returning to Germany. He remained in pre-trial detention until May this year and was ordered to participate in a de-radicalisation programme.Investigators are still trying to establish whether the suspect acted alone. Police said more than one person may have got out of the vehicle after it crashed into a tree in Tiergarten park.GERMANY WARNS OF POSSIBLE COPYCAT ATTACKSWith the suspect still on the run, Germany has increased its national threat level and warned of the possibility of copycat attacks."We cannot rule out the possibility of copycat attacks," Dobrindt said, announcing enhanced security measures across the country.He also praised emergency responders and members of the public who stepped in after the attack."I want to thank all those brave people whose actions ensured there were no more deaths," he said.The attack happened at a difficult time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government. The administration is already under pressure over immigration and public safety as Germany heads towards crucial state elections in two months.The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has made immigration and security key campaign issues, was quick to respond. Party co-leader Tino Chrupalla said on social media that Germany would not allow "religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance".- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Jul 26, 2026 18:56 IST