A deadly van ramming and knife rampage near Berlin's Pride festival killed one person and injured 29. German authorities called it an Islamist terrorist attack, and police later shot dead the main suspect.
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Key facts
- One person was killed and 29 others were injured in the attack.
- A man drove a minivan into a crowd, then attacked people with what appeared to be a machete.
- The attack took place in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate at about 10pm local time on Saturday.
- German authorities described the incident as an Islamist terrorist attack.
- The main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, was shot dead by police, reportedly during an operation in the Spandau district.
A deadly van ramming and knife rampage near Berlin’s Pride festival was an Islamist terrorist attack, German authorities have said, according to the Guardian. One person was killed and 29 others were injured in the incident.
According to the Guardian, a man drove a minivan into a crowd of pedestrians before attacking people with what appeared to be a machete. The attack took place in the Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate at about 10pm local time on Saturday.
The location was close to one of Europe’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations, placing large numbers of people in the area at the time of the attack.
German authorities initially launched a hunt for the main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, as the investigation got under way. Officials characterised the incident as an Islamist terror attack.
Police confirmed on Sunday evening that the chief suspect had been shot dead, the Guardian reported. He was reportedly shot during an operation at an allotment garden complex in the city’s Spandau district.
The reporting on the incident developed over the course of the day, with early accounts focused on the ongoing search for the suspect before officials confirmed he had been killed by police.
Why it matters
The attack struck one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, raising concerns about the safety of major public gatherings. Authorities' description of the incident as an Islamist terrorist attack is likely to intensify debate over security at high-profile events in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the Berlin Pride attack?
According to the Guardian, a man drove a minivan into a crowd of pedestrians near Berlin's Pride festival and then attacked people with what appeared to be a machete, killing one person and injuring 29 others.
Where and when did the attack take place?
The attack occurred in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate at about 10pm local time on Saturday, close to one of Europe's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
What happened to the suspect?
The main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, was shot dead by police, reportedly during an operation at an allotment garden complex in the city's Spandau district, German officials said.
Timeline
- German investigators find apparent motive after Berlin Pride attack
Al Jazeera: Prosecutors say they uncover video of accused Berlin Pride attacker pledging allegiance to ISIL (ISIS).
- Police shoot dead Berlin Pride van and knife rampage suspect, officials say
The Guardian World: Abdul Ballout, 21, reportedly shot in operation at allotment in Spandau district after fatal attack in Tiergarten park A man suspected of a driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival then going on a knife rampage in an Islamist terror attack has been shot dead by pol
- Berlin Pride van and knife rampage an ‘Islamist terror attack’, authorities say
The Guardian World: Police hunt for main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, after fatal attack in Tiergarten park close to LGBTQ+ event A deadly van ramming and knife rampage near Berlin’s Pride festival was an Islamist terrorist attack, German authorities have said as the hunt for the main suspec
- Berlin Pride van and knife rampage an ‘Islamist terrorist attack’, say German authorities
The Guardian World: Hunt ongoing for main suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, 21, after fatal attack in Tiergarten park close to LGBTQ+ event A deadly van ramming and knife rampage near Berlin’s Pride festival was an Islamist terrorist attack, German authorities have said, with a hunt ongoing to find t