The Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride Parade held in Berlin ended with a bloody attack. As a result of a van plowing into the crowd, 1 person died and 16 people were injured. German police launched a large-scale operation to apprehend the 21-year-old suspect, who is alleged to have carried out the attack.
The Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride Parade, held annually in Berlin, the capital of Germany, with the participation of thousands of people, was marred by a tragic attack this year. The event, which featured peaceful and colorful scenes throughout the day, turned bloody with the van attack that occurred at night.
According to information obtained, the incident occurred around 10:00 PM on Lennéstraße near the Brandenburg Gate. As a van plowed into a group leaving the parade, one woman died at the scene, while a total of 16 people were injured, 9 of them seriously. Three of the seriously injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Police Search for Suspect
The suspect who fled the scene after the attack was identified as 21-year-old Abdul B., and his connections to radical Islamist circles are being investigated. Berlin Police launched a comprehensive operation to apprehend the perpetrator, while also requesting public assistance with information.
The investigation is being conducted from multiple angles.
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<Condemnation Messages from Germany Pour In
The attack was met with strong reactions from politicians and the public across Germany.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "I condemn this heinous attack in the strongest possible terms." Chancellery sources announced that Merz was closely following developments with Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
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Berlin State Premier Kai Wegner, in a post on social media platform X, stated the following:
"This attack is directed against our free, democratic, and open society. We strongly condemn this attack on the CSD event, which carries a message of peace, tolerance, and diversity."
Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger also condemned the attack in strong terms.
Cansel Kızıltepe: "Violence Has No Place in Our Society"
Berlin Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity, and Anti-Discrimination Cansel Kızıltepe expressed her deep sorrow in a statement following the attack.
In her statement, Kızıltepe said, "This attack, which occurred on such an important day symbolizing mutual respect, peace, and coexistence, deeply shook all of us. Violence and animosity towards humanity have no place in our society."
Around 200,000 People Attended
It was stated that approximately 200,000 people participated in this year's Christopher Street Day (CSD) events, one of Berlin's largest mass organizations.
The parade, which began with colorful scenes, was ended at 10:00 PM for security reasons following the attack.
Investigation Continues
While Berlin Police and prosecutor's teams continue their efforts to fully clarify all aspects of the attack, the incident's potential terror links and the assailant's motivation are being thoroughly investigated. Security forces are continuously carrying out operations to apprehend the perpetrator.
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