POLICE have launched an urgent manhunt for an “Islamist” suspect after a van rammed into a crowd at a Pride parade in Berlin.
At least one person has died and 16 injured after the driver ploughed into revellers before knifing people at random.
Police have named the suspect as “armed and dangerous” Abdul B., a 21-year-old man with a “slim build” and black hair.
Cops in the German capital said: “One or more people are believed to have subsequently fled the vehicle.
“Furthermore, several people are reported to have been injured with stabbing weapons.”
Witnesses said the white van drove into crowds in Berlin’s Tiergarten park at high speed at about 10pm local time on Saturday night.
The suspect then crashed into a tree and abandoned the vehicle, before using a bladed weapon to attack people in the park near the end of the parade route.
Witnesses told emergency services that people with stab wounds were lying on the ground.
Cops have now launched a major manhunt for the driver, who is said to have fled on foot.
He has been identified as a member of the city’s “Islamist scene” and is known to cops but he has not yet been arrested.
Police are probing the attack’s links to terrorism, with Germany’s federal prosecutors working with Berlin investigators.
Three weeks ago, a German government report described the risk of Islamic terrorism as “high”.
Crowds had filled the streets for Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride event.
Berlin police said: “Shortly before 10pm, the driver of a white vehicle is said to have struck several people.
“There are numerous injured, including several with life-threatening injuries.”
Eight people have suffered serious injuries, three of whom are fighting for their lives.
A helicopter landing pad was set up in front of the Reichstag, the seat of Germany’s Parliament.
The Pride event was cancelled, with the word “evacuation” displayed on a huge screen at the Brandenburg Gate.
Hundreds of thousands of people had flocked to Berlin to join one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Berlin cops said: “We believe that a vehicle entered the Tiergarten park and hit several people and injured them.”
Police cordoned off the area as they searched for the suspected attacker.
Choppers have been deployed to search for “one or more suspects”.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called the incident “an attack on our free and open society”.
He wrote: “After a peaceful and colorful CSD, the assembly for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal way.
“Berlin is the city of freedom – and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. I thank the emergency services who were immediately on site and did everything in their power.
“And I trust the police and security authorities, who will investigate at full speed.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed he would “push to make sure this heinous act is fully investigated and punished”.
Berlin’s Queer Liaison Officer Alfonso Pantisano told Tagesspiegel: “This is a day of great mourning for the queer community.
“They must not allow themselves to be intimidated, especially now.”