Germany updates: 19 injured in Düsseldorf fair fireworks – DW – 07/19/2025
A fireworks show at the Düsseldorf city fair, the Rheinkirmes, had to be cut short after 19 people were injured — four of them seriously — when rockets flew too close to the crowd.
Emergency crews have said at least one child was hurt, as videos and witnesses showed fireworks exploding unusually low.
In other news, Germany's Red Cross warns that the population is lacking in people with skills to deal with major emergencies, while German media responds to the latest deportation flight to Afghanistan.A fireworks display at the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes — a type of town fair — has left 19 people injured, including four seriously.
Emergency services confirmed the injuries late Friday after fireworks reportedly exploded unusually close to the ground. According to police, at least one child was among the injured.
Eyewitnesses told German public broadcaster WDR that some rockets flew sideways or detonated low, with a few even landing in the Rhine River. One video from across the river shows explosions lighting up both the sky and ground at the same time.
"I was at the fair watching the fireworks," said one witness. "Some rockets flew surprisingly low and exploded close to people. I wondered if that wasn't too near the crowd."
Fire officials believe some rockets may have veered off course, with one misfiring directly into the crowd.
Organizers initially kept the fair running to avoid panic but ended festivities early around 10:45 p.m. (2045 GMT). The event had been scheduled to continue into the early morning.
The Rheinkirmes fair, the biggest to take place on the river, is rooted in an annual celebration of the city's patron saint Apollinaris. It started on July 11 and is set to end on Sunday.
Germany has been falling short on preparing its population for major emergencies, according to the German Red Cross (DRK).
Millions of people need training in first aid and self-reliance, said Heike Spieker, head of the DRK's National Relief Society.
"To build these skills sustainably, four million people would need to be trained," she said. That level of preparedness would ensure people could help themselves and others during a crisis.
The courses, supported by federal funding and offered by aid groups, go beyond first aid. According to the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, they cover how to act when power goes out or flooding follows heavy rain.
To reach a "reasonable level" within five years, around 800,000 people would need training each year, Spieker said.
"In reality, current funding covers an average of fewer than 100,000 participants per year," she added.
She also criticized the government's current budget plans, saying they are "absolutely insufficient and contradict the political promises to strengthen civil protection."
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from the DW newsroom in sunny Bonn on the Rhine River.
You join us as news comes in of a mishap at what was supposed to be a dazzling event at the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes on Friday night, when a fireworks display went wrong.
Emergency services said the rockets appeared to explode far too close to the ground, and 19 people were injured. According to police, at least one child was among those hurt.
Follow along for the latest on what Germany is talking about on Saturday, July 19.
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Having a German speaker with you can help avoid complications due to misunderstandings, or even wasting an appointment due to the language barrier. If possible, attending with someone who has a good understanding of immigration law is even better. Sometimes simply having someone who can push back, based on an understanding of the rules and your rights, is all it takes. Lieder added that if you aren't sure about your rights, the best case would be to bring a lawyer with you. 2) Be prepared It should go without saying that you'll want to double check you've got all of your documents in order before your appointment. Advertisement EXPLAINED: How to apply for a residency permit online in Berlin And in Germany, an extra paper or two never hurts. Along with the documents that the immigration office tells you to bring, you may want to bring anything else that supports your case. You can check the 'preconditions' or Voraussetzungen for the specific residence permit you are applying for here , and bring any documents that show you meet each of them. 'The law allows immigration officers to decide on things like the length of a visa depending on the case,' Lieder said. So the more evidence you can present as to the strength of your case, the better off you may be in the end. It's also advisable to bring records of your correspondence with the immigration office, such as the invitation to your appointment that you received in the mail, or any official notices that contain details about your case. In the aforementioned case, the immigration officer had asked Lieder's client to produce a printed photo despite a note on his appointment invitation which explicitly said not to bring physical photos. In this case, showing the letter helped them confirm that they had done everything as instructed. READ ALSO: 'Machines don't work!' - The problem of getting digital ID photos in Germany You may also want to bring a notebook and a pen in case you need to write something down. This has the bonus of making you appear more prepared, even if you don't end up needing it. View of the front of the Foreigners' Registration Office and the Public Order Office of Frankfurt am Main. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow 3) Be on time This one goes for just about every meeting in Germany, but the stakes are higher at the immigration office. 'Be 15 minutes early so that you have time to find the right room,' Lieder said. READ ALSO: Q&A - What are your rights while waiting for a German residence permit? Advertisement 4) Appear professional Think of your appointment at the Ausländerbehörde like a job interview – at the very least you want to look put together and professional. You don't need to wear a suit, but a nice shirt and slacks as opposed to a t-shirt and sweatpants is a good best practice. 'No shorts, no jeans with holes in them…don't wear hats inside or chew gum,' Lieder said. She added, 'It might appear superficial but those small things actually do matter I think." 5) Speak respectfully Being mindful that the officer across the desk from you has a fair amount of influence over your fate in this given moment, you'll want to make an effort to address them respectfully - or at least avoid coming across as disrespectful or argumentative. As a final tip, Lieder pointed out that the officers often have their names on a sign on their desk. 'It might help to read their name and address the officer respectfully by name,' Lieder said, 'Saying things like 'Herr Müller, thank you' for example.'
