Berlin ring in 2024: Injuries rise with firework incidents
Germany welcomed the New Year with celebrations that mostly proceeded smoothly, barring minor exceptions. In Berlin, 390 individuals were detained during the night. Additionally, according to preliminary estimates, 15 police officers and one firefighter sustained injuries.
As the public broadcaster ARD reported, Iris Spranger, spokesperson for Germany's federal Ministry of the Interior, provided information about the injured officers. For comparison, 34 police officers were injured last year.
Spranger noted that New Year's Eve was peaceful for most Berlin residents and visitors. However, she acknowledged incidents where bystanders and emergency personnel were injured, strongly condemning these actions and calling for thorough investigations and appropriate legal action.
During the transition into the new year, between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., the Berlin Fire Department responded to 1,892 incidents. This marked an increase of 294 compared to the previous year. There were 825 fires, 847 rescue service operations, and 220 technical assistance and other activities. Firefighters reported 13 instances of assaults on officers.
5 victims of illegal firecrackers
The Ministry of the Interior also reported on the fatalities resulting from the use of illegal firecrackers. In total, five people lost their lives due to illegal pyrotechnics.
Two of the fatalities occurred in Saxony, with one each in Brandenburg, Hamburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
