Germany Hunts Abdul Ballout After 1 Dies and 29 Are Hurt in Berlin Pride Terror Attack
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
Germany Hunts Abdul Ballout After 1 Dies and 29 Are Hurt in Berlin Pride Terror Attack
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
Summary
German authorities said the Berlin van ramming and stabbing that killed one woman and injured 29 near the Pride festival was believed to be an Islamic extremist terror attack, with suspect Abdul Ballout still at large.
Police say a white van hit people in Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. before crashing into a tree, and Ballout then allegedly attacked others with a suspected machete; three victims suffered life-threatening injuries.
Alexander Dobrindt said Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese roots, was known to authorities for prior crimes, radicalization and links to the Islamist scene; police searched a Schöneberg apartment but found no one.
The attack forced organizers to halt the Christopher Street Day closing event near Brandenburg Gate, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it "an attack on our society."
Germany said security at other major events, including Pride celebrations, would be reviewed for possible tightening, and Amsterdam said it was monitoring risks as World Pride begins.