At least 23 people were injured when a Ferris wheel caught fire at a music festival in Germany. The incident occurred at the Highfield Festival near Leipzig in the eastern part of the country. According to reports from the police, the fire started in one of the gondolas and spread to a second one on Saturday night. The affected area was quickly evacuated, and emergency services rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze and assist the injured.
Four people suffered burn injuries, and one person sustained injuries from a fall. Others, including first responders and at least four police officers, were being examined in hospital for possible smoke inhalation. The extent of the injuries was not immediately clear, and the exact number of casualties was also unknown.
The operator of the Ferris wheel, which was providing rides to festival-goers, told authorities that no passengers were on board the gondola where the fire started. This information has raised questions about the cause of the fire, and police are still investigating the incident.
Ferris Wheel Fire Injures at Least 23 at German Festival (Image via Getty)
Despite the severity of the incident, authorities have not released any details about the condition of the injured, citing the ongoing investigation. The Highfield Festival was forced to close temporarily due to the fire, and organizers are likely to review safety protocols for the Ferris wheel and other rides to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Highfield Festival, held at Stoermthaler Lake, attracted thousands of music lovers over the weekend, but the tragic incident overshadowed the event’s intended joy and revelry. As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, those who attended the festival are left to process the shocking turn of events.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and protocols during large-scale events, particularly those involving rides and attractions. While the full extent of the injuries and the cause of the fire remain unclear, one thing is certain: the devastating consequences of a failure to prioritize safety.
