On Saturday night, July 26th, 2026, a van was driven into a crowd at the Berlin Pride event, known as Christopher Street Day, resulting in the death of one woman and injuries to at least 29 others. The incident occurred near Tiergarten park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds of thousands had gathered for the annual celebration.

The suspect, 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, was shot and killed during a police operation in west Berlin. Authorities identified him as having Islamist links. In May 2025, prosecutors reported that Ballout traveled via Turkey to Lebanon with the intention of joining the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria.

Berlin Police stated that victims were hit on Ahornsteig, a long path through the largely forested Tiergarten park. On Sunday, police guarded an apartment block in Berlin's Tiergarten district, believed to be the suspect's home.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack as a "heinous" act, emphasizing that "every person should be able to live, love, and stand up for their rights without fear," highlighting the fundamental EU values of freedom, dignity, and equality. He expressed solidarity, standing "shoulder to shoulder with our German neighbours."

The Christopher Street Day event featured a large number of participants and floats, moving through the city, passing the Victory Column monument, and proceeding towards the Brandenburg Gate.

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