In a shocking turn of events, German authorities cancelled a widely celebrated pride festival in Berlin on Saturday. The decision came after a tragic incident where a white van plowed into the crowd, leaving multiple people injured and resulting in one fatality.
“We are currently deployed with numerous police forces as well as rescue units from the Berlin Fire Department in the Großer Tiergarten,” stated the Berlin Police via a translated X post. Attendees were urged to evacuate the area immediately.
Rescue personnel are on-site, providing medical assistance to those who sustained injuries during the incident.
This staggering event unfolded amidst the annual Christopher Street Day festival, a prominent LGBTQ+ pride celebration in the city.
Police officers are presently on the scene, following the abrupt halt to the Christopher Street Day celebrations in Berlin on Saturday. (Fabian Sommer/DPA via AP)
“We are conducting an intensive manhunt for suspects,” police added, later clarifying that it could be one or more suspects.
Authorities haven’t released a possible motive.
Emergency personnel gather in Berlin, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
In an update, the police said several of those injured have life-threatening injuries.
Crowds are seen at the Christopher Street Day festival in Berlin, which was canceled after police say several people were injured when a van rammed the festivities Saturday. (Fabian Sommer/DPA via AP)
Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the event, which included a parade and ended Saturday evening with a show at Tiergarten park near Brandenberg Gate.