At least one person has died and 17 others have been injured after a van ploughed into a crowd at an LGBT event in Berlin.
Police said on social media that officers and emergency services were responding to an incident in the city’s central Tiergarten park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, where a vehicle had struck multiple people.
“We are searching intensively for the suspect,” police said.
After crashing the van, the suspect allegedly attacked attendees with a knife before fleeing on foot.
He remains at large.
Berlin police said investigators believe the suspect - who they have called "Abdul B" - has links to Islamist circles in the German capital.
“Based on the investigators’ initial findings, we have already identified a suspected perpetrator,” Berlin police spokesman Florian Nath said.
“He is known to us as a member of Islamist circles here in Berlin.”
Several people injured at a Berlin LGBT event after 'vehicle drove into crowd' | REUTERS
A manhunt is underway for 'Abdul B' who is known to police
|REUTERS
Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital for the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations before the attack brought the festivities to an abrupt end.
Police have urged people to avoid the area.
The annual Pride event, known as Christopher Street Day, has since been cancelled.
Mr Nath said in a video posted on X: “We are now at the scene with a significant police presence, alongside paramedics from the Berlin fire service and other emergency organisations.
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Police said on the social media platform X they were responding with emergency services to an incident in the city's central Tiergarten park
|REUTERS
“A vehicle allegedly drove into the park and struck several people, apparently causing a number of injuries.
“Several casualties are now being treated by the Berlin fire service in the Tiergarten area.”
He added: "We are searching for possible suspects and will update when we have more information."
Earlier today, huge crowds took part in a parade throughout the city.
Christopher Street Day has been cancelled
|REUTERS
Christopher Street Day is one of the largest LGBT events in Europe
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The parade had ended near the park, where a series of evening events were due to take place.
Around one million people usually attend Berlin’s Christopher Street Day celebrations.
German newspaper Bild cited a witness as saying a white van ploughed into the crowd at high speed before a man got out and fled on foot.
A large emergency services presence remains at the scene.