GB News was interrupted on Sunday morning as presenter Alex Armstrong delivered a tragic announcement. The programme paused to bring viewers breaking news from Berlin, where a car had driven into a crowd at the city's Pride parade.
Details of the Incident
Armstrong, who had been discussing Andy Burnham's promises on ending rough sleeping in Manchester, revealed that Berlin's Pride Parade was called off by organisers on Saturday evening after a car crashed into a crowd at Tiergarten park. He said: "Berlin Police say a major operation is now underway, several injured after an incident."
The GB News host read a statement from Berlin Police: "We are currently deployed with numerous police forces as well as rescue units from the Berlin Fire Department in the Großer Tiergarten. It is suspected that a vehicle has driven into the Tiergarten here, has struck and injured several people. The injured are currently being treated by rescue personnel. We are conducting an intensive manhunt for suspects."
Casualties and Suspect
It was later confirmed that one person had died from their injuries. Armstrong said: "A new breaking line here to bring you. One person has died after a car has crashed into a crowd in Berlin, say local police."
Police confirmed that one person died, 16 were injured, with three sustaining life-threatening injuries. Authorities named the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B, who police say is known to them and has links to the Islamist scene in Berlin. A statement said: "One or more people are believed to have subsequently fled the vehicle. Furthermore, several people are reported to have been injured with stabbing weapons."
Witness Accounts and Aftermath
Witnesses said a white minivan-style vehicle was travelling at speed before ploughing into pedestrians. The vehicle was left so badly damaged that it was difficult to identify its exact make and model, police said. The suspect reportedly fled the scene after crashing into a tree.
Police have warned that the number of casualties could still rise as several of the injured remain in a critical condition. The vehicle drove into crowds attending the city's annual Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations in Tiergarten Park at around 10pm local time.
