Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — At least five people were killed and a police officer was seriously injured in multiple fireworks-related accidents across Germany during New Year’s Eve celebrations marking the arrival of 2025.
Fireworks displays are a long-standing tradition in Germany for ringing in the New Year, with celebrations on December 31, 2024, seeing widespread use of pyrotechnics. However, these festivities are often marred by accidents.
Germans celebrated the New Year with intense and widespread use of fireworks, according to report from AFP on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The fireworks celebrations reigniting an annual debate over potential bans due to the high number of injuries, noise pollution, and environmental concerns.
Police reported an increase fireworks accidents this year. In Berlin alone, approximately 330 people were detained overnight, related to fireworks accident. However, authorities stated that there were no significant incidents of violence during the celebrations.
Fireworks accidents across Germany also injured 13 law enforcement officers. One officer also reportedly sustained severe injuries in an accident. While also, the fireworks celebrations this years reportedly kill at least five people across Germany.
Deaths due to Fireworks Accidents
According to TheSun, one of the fatal accidents occurred near Paderborn in North Rhine-Westphalia, where a 24-year-old man died after igniting a homemade firework rocket, according to police.
In Oschatz, Saxony, a 45-year-old man died from severe head injuries after attempting to ignite an F4-category firework, a powerful explosive that requires special authorization for purchase.
Another deadly incident was reported in the eastern Saxony town of Hartha, where a 50-year-old man died instantly from head injuries caused by a pipe bomb-style firework explosion.
Near Hamburg, a 20-year-old man was killed while setting off fireworks.
In Kremen, close to Berlin, another man died while tampering with a malfunctioning firework. Three others at the scene sustained serious injuries.
The History of Fireworks and Why It Is Identical with New Year Celebrations
The recurring tragedies have intensified calls for stricter regulations or an outright ban on private fireworks use in Germany. Authorities continue to investigate the individual incidents while urging citizens to exercise caution during celebrations in the future.
(Raidi/Agung)
