International German broadcaster Deutsche Welle is updating its listeners and viewers hourly about the Islamist attack on a Gay Pride event in Berlin, which has led to the remainder of the Pride marching season in the country to be abandoned.

They begin with an overview of the incident.

• One person was killed, 16 others injured
• Several people are in a life-threatening condition in hospital
• Police name suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B.
• Police said the suspect is known for links to the Islamist scene
• The Pride parade, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, is known as Christopher Street Day in Germany

Germany’s interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has described himself as “deeply shaken” by the vehicle attack at the Berlin Pride celebrations, calling the incident a “heinous attack on people celebrating peacefully”. In a statement, he expressed his sympathy for those affected, saying his thoughts were with the victims, their families, and everyone who witnessed the act. He pledged that authorities would do everything possible to swiftly solve the crime, uncover the circumstances behind it, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Britta Hasselmann, the parliamentary group leader of the Green Party, characterised the ramming as an assault on the entire nation. She referred to it as an attack on “our free and liberal constitutional state and everything that defines it”.

Ricarda Hofmann, a presenter and comedienne who co-hosted the Pride event, spoke of being “at a loss for words” after the atrocity. Writing on social media, she noted that she had attended Christopher Street Day, the German name for Pride, not just as a host but as a member of a community that gathers to be visible, celebrate love, and stand up for each other.

Her co-host, actor and presenter Jochen Schropp, described how the day had turned into a nightmare. He posted on Instagram that it had been a beautiful day filled with love, and that it was truly indescribable when something like this happens. He expressed hope that the community would get through it together.

Solidarity has also come from across the European Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced her sympathy for the victims, emphasising that the Pride event represents freedom, dignity, and equality – the fundamental values of the EU. She wrote on social media that every person should be able to live, love, and stand up for their rights without fear.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the attack as a direct assault on free and tolerant society. Meanwhile, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the attack on Christopher Street Day in Berlin shook her to the core, adding that such values would not be taken away and insisting that love is stronger than hate.

International news sources: BBC News Channel, Deutshe Welle News Channel.