Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner said on X "it is an attack on our free and open society.

"Berlin is the city of freedom - and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today.

"My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends."

Police spokesman Florian Nath warned the number of dead may rise overnight.

"Several people are severely injured, and we don't know if all will survive the night," he said.

Berlin police spokesman Florian Nath said there is currently no information on the motive or suspect, or suspects, available.

He said it was also not clear where the vehicle was driven into the Tiergarten park, as the access roads were blocked off for traffic.

According to witnesses, people were also injured by stab wounds.

Police spokesman Florian Nath said that witnesses told emergency services that people with stab wounds were lying on the ground.

Berlin Police spokesman Florian Nath confirmed the vehicle was a "small white minivan," adding that it was originally difficult to distinguish due to the amount of damage it had endured.

Speaking to reporters during a press release, he added that it is unclear if they are looking for one or more suspects.

A major police operation is under way in Berlin's Tiergarten district as police are conducting an urgent manhunt for suspects

The British Embassy in Berlin has issued a statement advising Brits to follow instructions from local police.

In a post on X, they said: "We are aware of the incident at Berlin CSD this evening. British nationals in the Tiergarten area should follow police instructions. British nationals in need of assistance should call +49 (0) 30 204570."

Florian Nath, spokesman for Police Berlin, said "numerous" people were injured, including several with life-threatening injuries.

Some are being resuscitated at the scene, according to Nath.

Regarding how the people were injured, he said a white car was driven into the Tiergarten and hit several people along the Ahornsteig, a road through the large park.

Police are searching for one or several suspects, Nath added.

Images from the scene show emeregncy workers flooding the area as crowds have dispersed.

Emergency crews at the scene(Image: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock)

Ambulance and fire at the scene(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The number of injured is not yet known(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

According to a police spokeswoman, a helicopter is being used to illuminate the accident site and to search for the fleeing suspect.

Local media has also reported a helicopter landing pad is being set up in front of the Reichstag, according to a police officer.

An Instagram post from organisers instructed revelers to leave the area "calmly and in an orderly manner." "Please avoid the Victory Column and the Tiergarten. Leave the area in the direction of the main train station," the post read.

German news outlet Bild is reporting that a mass casualty incident has been declared after a van drove into crowds “at high speed”.

Reports claim more than 40 emergency services personnel descended on the scene following the shocking incident.

The paper cited eyewitness reports of a man getting out of the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Berlin police have said they are searching for suspects.

Video from the scene shows crowds leaving and ambulances rushing to the scene following the reported attacks on the pride parade in Berlin this evening.

A post on X by Berlin Police reads: "We are currently deployed with numerous police forces as well as rescue units from the Berlin Fire Department in the Großer Tiergarten. It is presumed 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."

The organizers announced on social media: "Please leave the premises calmly and in an orderly manner. Please avoid the Victory Column and the Tiergarten. Leave the premises in the direction of the main train station."

The Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin has been cancelled. Berlin police said that there was a "major police operation" underway on the edge of the Tiergarten park. Police, together with paramedics, were attending to several injured people. Initial investigations "suggest that a car may have driven into the crowd," a spokesperson said, Der Spiegel reports.