19 injured as firework misfires at German fair

Qatar Tribune

19-07-2025

DPA
Düsseldorf
At least 19 people were injured in an incident involving fireworks at a fair in Germany's Dusseldorf in an accident that could have been caused by a container falling over, according to the police.
Four people were seriously injured and taken to hospital. Among them was a child who suffered burns, the Dusseldorf Fire Department said.
Nearly 80 fire and rescue personnel were called to the scene on Friday evening.
According to the information, one of the fireworks detonated at too low an altitude for unknown reasons during the large fireworks display late on Friday evening.
It is possible that a launch container tipped over, causing the fireworks to go off at too low an altitude, the spokesperson said, adding videos from the evening suggest this cause.
Police are investigating the cause of the incident and a criminal investigation is under way. A police spokesperson said the force currently see the incident as a tragic accident.
Organisers of the Largest Fair on the Rhine, or Düsseldorfer Rheinkirmes, ended the festivities early due to the incident.
In a statement, the organisers said they deeply regret the accident. A spokesman said they would now examine whether the tradition of the fair's fireworks will continue next year.