A van drove into a crowd at Berlin's annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade on Saturday night, killing at least one person and injuring about 15, prompting police to call off the event.
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Key facts
- A van crashed into a crowd near the route of Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride parade in Tiergarten park.
- At least one person was killed and about 15 were injured, according to police.
- Police said the injured included several people with life-threatening injuries.
- Organisers and police called off the parade hours after it had begun to protect participants.
- Police urged everyone to leave the event premises immediately in a post on X.
- The cause of the crash, the identity of the driver and any motive had not been established in the sources.
A major incident was declared in Berlin on Saturday night after a van crashed into a crowd of people near the route of the city’s Christopher Street Day Pride parade, according to the Guardian.
Police said the driver of a white van struck several people in Tiergarten park, killing at least one person and injuring about 15. The incident took place hours after the parade, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, had begun.
Police said those hurt “included several with life-threatening injuries.” They called on everyone to leave the premises of the event immediately in a post on X.
The parade was called off by the organiser following the incident. Police said the decision was taken to protect participants after the vehicle struck people near the route.
Initial reports described a car crashing into the crowd, with later police accounts specifying a white van. Several injuries were reported before the fuller toll of one death and about 15 injured emerged, according to the Guardian.
The cause of the crash, the identity of the driver and any possible motive were not stated in the available reports. The Christopher Street Day event is Berlin’s annual Pride parade and one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in Europe.
Why it matters
The incident at one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations left at least one person dead and about 15 injured, and led police to call off a major public event to protect those attending. Key details, including the cause of the crash and whether it was deliberate, remain unconfirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Berlin Pride?
According to police cited by the Guardian, a white van drove into a crowd near the route of Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride parade in Tiergarten park, killing at least one person and injuring about 15.
Why was the Berlin Pride parade called off?
Police and the organiser called off the parade hours after it began in order to protect participants following the incident. Police also urged everyone to leave the event premises immediately.
How many people were injured?
Police said about 15 people were injured, including several with life-threatening injuries, and at least one person was killed.
Timeline
- One killed and 16 injured after van crashes into crowd at Berlin Pride
The Guardian World: Police call off annual parade after crowd struck by vehicle in Tiergarten park The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, vowed to punish those responsible after a car struck people on the outskirts of Berlin’s Gay Pride celebrations, killing at least one person and wounding 16 other
- One killed and 15 injured after car crashes into crowd at Berlin Pride
The Guardian World: Police call off annual parade hours after it began after reporting driver of white van struck several people in Tiergarten park A van ploughed into a crowd at Berlin’s annual LGBTQ+ pride parade, killing at least one person and injuring about 15, police said, leading them to call
- One killed and 15 injured after van crashes into crowd at Berlin Pride
The Guardian World: Police call off annual parade hours after it began as several people are struck by vehicle in Tiergarten park A van has ploughed into a crowd at Berlin’s annual LGBTQ+ pride parade, killing at least one person and injuring about 15, police said, leading them to call off the event
- Berlin Pride march called off after car crashes into crowd of people near route
The Guardian World: Christopher Street Day event cancelled after incident that left several people injured A major incident has been declared in Berlin after reports that a car has crashed into a crowd of people, with several injuries. The city’s Christopher Street Day Pride parade was called off by