Tens of thousands of people were celebrating Christopher Street Day in Berlin when the alarm went off at 10 p.m. about a serious incident.
A white van drove into the area at high speed, hit several people and then crashed into a tree.
A woman died at the scene. At least 16 people are injured, several seriously.
The driver disappeared from the scene, but was quickly identified by police as a man in his 20s, known for his connections to Islamist circles.
The man has not been arrested and police are issuing a wanted notice with a picture, name and extensive description.
Reports that several people were also stabbed have not been confirmed by police.
