Five people have died, and thirty law enforcement officers were injured due to fireworks accidents across Germany during the New Year celebrations.
Police reported that one officer was seriously hurt by an illegally manufactured firework. The tragic incidents highlight the dangers of fireworks, which are traditionally used in large numbers to mark the transition into the new year.
The victims, aged 20 to 50, died in separate accidents across different regions, including Paderborn, Oschatz, Hartha, and near Hamburg. Many of the fireworks involved were powerful and, in some cases, homemade. Authorities have long debated the safety concerns surrounding fireworks, as their use frequently results in injuries, noise pollution, and environmental damage.
Despite the fatalities, police in Berlin reported no major violence or incidents,
