The attack happened shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday in Tiergarten Park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds of thousands of people had gathered to celebrate the conclusion of one of Europe's largest Pride events.
Authorities said the driver fled after the white van crashed into a tree, abandoning the vehicle before escaping into the park. Police have launched a citywide search involving helicopters, special forces, sniffer dogs and officers from several German states.
Investigators have identified a 21-year-old man, named only as Abdul B. under German privacy laws, as the primary suspect. Police said he is known to authorities and is believed to have links to Islamist circles. Officers warned the public not to approach him, describing him as approximately 1.90 metres (6ft 3in) tall with black hair, wearing a black hoodie and white trousers at the time of the attack.
Emergency crews treated victims at the scene, with three people reported to have suffered life-threatening injuries. Around 30 others received treatment for shock. Investigators are also examining reports that some victims sustained stab wounds, raising questions about whether more than one form of violence occurred during the attack.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the incident as an assault on the city's values of openness and diversity.
"This terrible act will not change who we are," Wegner said. "Berlin remains a city of freedom and tolerance."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the attack as a "horrific act" and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The Christopher Street Day celebrations, which commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York and celebrate LGBTQ+ rights, were immediately cancelled. Organisers halted concerts near the Brandenburg Gate and instructed attendees to evacuate safely. Witnesses said the crowd dispersed calmly despite the unfolding emergency.
The attack has renewed concerns over public safety in Germany following several deadly vehicle attacks in recent years, including incidents in Magdeburg, Leipzig and Berlin. Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive, and the search for the suspect remains ongoing.
