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The Berlin Pride parade car ramming has been called a likely “Islamist terror attack” as a massive manhunt has been launched.
Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany Alexander Dobrindt has stated “everything we are seeing here indicates that we have experienced an Islamist terror attack”.
Dobrindt explained the suspect “rammed into a crowd with a car” last night.
The minister added: “He then attacked other passers-by with a stabbing weapon, with a cutting weapon, presumably a machete, and also seriously injured them.”
Dobrindt revealed the the suspect is a German citizen of Lebanese background. He stated the suspect named, Abdul Ballout, 21, was born in Germany in 2004 and his mother was naturalised as a German citizen in 2002.
It is understood the suspect was already known to the police before the attack.
Police understand the suspect has previously committed a number of crimes and had been radicalised.
Alongside this the suspect is thought to be a have been part of the Islamist scene.
The minister stated one person has died from the fatal car attack and another 29 have been injured.
Dobrindt has stated: “We cannot rule out the possibility of copycat attacks,” as Germany’s threat level has been raised as a result of the horrifying incident.
Berlin police have described the suspect of having a “slim build” and black hair. He is reportedly wearing a black hoodie and white trousers.#
Berlin descended into turmoil on Saturday evening when a vehicle ploughed into crowds attending the city’s annual Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations in Tiergarten Park.
Eyewitnesses reported a white minivan-style vehicle speeding before it crashed into pedestrians. The vehicle was left so severely damaged that police found it challenging to identify its exact make and model.
A significant manhunt is now in progress after the driver escaped the scene. Over 2,200 police officers have been mobilised across Berlin as the investigation continues.
The incident led to the cancellation of the remaining Berlin Pride festivities, with thousands of participants being evacuated from the vicinity. Police have cautioned that the casualty count may yet increase as several of the wounded are in a critical state.
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