Abdul Ballout Killed After Van Attack on Berlin CSD, 1 Dead, 31 Injured

On 25 July 2026, Abdul Ballout, a 21‑year‑old German‑Lebanese man, drove a transport van into the crowd attending the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin’s Tiergarten. The attack killed a 65‑year‑old woman and injured 31 people, three of them seriously.

Ballout had been under surveillance after a May‑2026 conviction for preparing a serious violent act. Investigators say he tested police monitoring by carrying a realistic toy weapon and using two mobile phones, one of which was later found in the seized vehicle. A day after the attack, Berlin’s special police unit (SEK) located him in Spandau; he was shot dead after allegedly attacking officers with a knife.

The incident has raised concerns about security at public events and the effectiveness of monitoring known threats.