A vehicle drove into a crowd at Berlin's Pride parade, killing one person and injuring 16 others, in an attack that brought one of the city's largest annual gatherings to an abrupt halt.

The van struck festival-goers as thousands filled the streets for the celebration. Emergency crews moved through the crowd to reach the injured, and the parade was called off in the aftermath.

German authorities launched a manhunt for the driver, whom police identified as a 21-year-old man. Investigators said the suspect had ties to what they described as Islamic circles in the German capital. Police did not offer a definitive account of the driver's motive, and the investigation remained open as the search continued.

German officials pledged that those responsible would face justice. Public figures and event participants expressed grief and solidarity with the LGBTQ community following the attack.

The Berlin parade is among the most prominent such events in Germany, and the attack unfolded in the middle of the festivities, when the streets were most densely packed.

As of the latest reporting, the driver had not been apprehended, and police were continuing their investigation into how the attack occurred and what led to it. Authorities appealed for information as they worked to establish the sequence of events.

City officials and emergency services said their efforts were focused on treating the injured and accounting for those affected.

References

1. 1.News agency reporting — one death and 16 injuries at Berlin Pride parade
2. 2.Police statements — 21-year-old driver identified, manhunt launched
3. 3.Police statements — suspect described as having ties to Islamic circles in Berlin
4. 4.German officials — pledges to bring those responsible to justice
5. 5.Event coverage — parade called off, public and participant reactions