Germany classifies Berlin Pride ramming as 'terror attack'
Deutsche Welle · LC · trust 60/100
Police believe the 21-year-old suspect, named as Abdul B., has links to the Islamist scene. One person was killed and several others injured in the attack. Follow DW for more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HlqW A nationwide manhunt is under way in Germany for the suspect believed to be responsible for the car-ramming attack Image: Ralf Hirschberger/AFP Advertisement Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Manhunt launched after deadly van ramming during the Pride event in central Berlin Interior minister Dobrindt says incident being treated as 'Islamist terrorist attack' Merz urges CSD supporters 'not to be intimidated' One person was killed, 29 others injured Several people are in a life-threatening condition in hospital Police name suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B. The Pride parade, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, is known as Christopher Street Day in Germany The remaining Pride events were called off Follow DW's coverage for the latest developments on the manhunt and reaction to Saturday night's attack.
07/26/2026 July 26, 2026 IN PICTURES: Brandenburg Gate gathering after deadly van ramming Hundreds of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to pay respects to the victims of Saturday's car ramming attack.
The gathering mourners held a minute of silence and lay down flowers at the iconic site in the German capital.
The area was partially cordoned off and a police helicopter circled the perimeter.
07/26/2026 July 26, 2026 Attack fuels security debate across German political spectrum The attack on Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) event has triggered strong reactions across Germany's political spectrum, with leaders condemning the violence while offering sharply different assessments of its causes and implications.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the incident as an assault on the country's fundamental values.
"This act is an attack on our open society, on our way of life and on our ability to live together," he said.
Steinmeier added he was, "shaken and outraged."
The incident has also reignited debate over Germany's security policies and counterterrorism measures. Senior politicians from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) called for tougher measures in response.
Günter Krings, the party's spokesperson on interior affairs, argued that harsher penalties should be introduced if investigators determine the attack was motivated by Islamist extremism. Speaking to the Rheinische Post he also suggested that citizenship rules could be tightened.
Fellow CDU lawmaker Alexander Throm urged lawmakers to move quickly on pending security legislation, which includes provisions for expanded digital investigative powers and retention of IP addresses for criminal investigations.
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) , focused on defending the values represented by Pride events.
"Christopher Street Day stands for the right of every person to live freely," he said. "We will defend that."
Meanwhile, politicians from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) used the incident to criticize the government's handling of security issues.
AfD lawmaker Martin Hess described it as "a complete failure of the government's security policies," arguing that authorities had failed to prevent violence despite extensive security preparations.
AfD lawmaker Thorsten Weiss claimed that Berlin faces a serious problem with “Islamist extremism” and called for an emergency committee meeting to investigate how a person he described as a known extremist was allegedly able to carry out the attack.
07/26/2026 July 26, 2026 Federal prosecutor's office to take on CSD ramming case — minister Hubig said that federal prosecutors would take over investigations into Saturday's van ramming in Berlin after it was deemed a terror attack [FILE: July 8, 2026] Image: Lenny Karpe/IMAGO Germany's federal public prosecutor's office will take over investigations into the Saturday van ramming in Berlin, Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said.
"The Interior Minister has already announced that this is an Islamist attack. The Federal Public Prosecutor General will take over the investigation," she said.
"Naturally, we will pursue those responsible with the utmost severity and then bring them to trial."
The office is Germany's top prosecuting body and is responsible for investigating incidents deemed Islamist terror attacks, among other things.
07/26/2026 July 26, 2026 WATCH: Suspect identified in Berlin Pride attack Berlin police have launched a manhunt after a deadly van-ramming attack at the closing event of Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations near the Brandenburg Gate.
Investigators identified suspect Abdul B., a German citizen, whom police say is known for links to Islamist circles and may be armed.
The van drove into a crowd in Tiergarten Park shortly after 10 p.m., prompting an evacuation and a major emergency response. Mourners later gathered near the scene despite security concerns.
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07/26/2026 July 26, 2026 Bundestag flags lowered after deadly Pride attack Flag at the German Bundestag was ordered to be lowered to half mast Image: Fabian Sommer/dpa/picture alliance Bundestag President Julia Klöckner has ordered flags at the German Parliament to be flown at half-staff following the attack at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) event in Berlin.
In a statement, Klöckner said she was "shaken to the core" by the attack and expressed her sympathy for the victims, their families and all those who witnessed the incident.
She wished the injured a full and speedy recovery and thanked police, fire and rescue services, as well as the many volunteers and helpers, for their swift response.
Klöckner described the attack as an assault not only on individuals but also on…
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