Aysu Bicer
03 January 2025•Update: 03 January 2025
LONDON
German officials have called for stricter regulations on illegal fireworks after New Year’s Eve celebrations were marred by tragic incidents.
At least five people were killed and dozens of others injured across the country in accidents involving fireworks as riots in Berlin led to more than 400 arrests in a night of chaos celebrating the start of the new year.
According to local media, authorities reported a surge in injuries caused by fireworks, including 17 in Berlin, as revelers employed illegal explosives such as "kugelbomben" or bullet bombs.
These powerful explosives, restricted to professional firework displays, were a key factor in the severe injuries, officials said. Berlin’s UKB hospital, which treated several victims, including children, noted the severity of injuries was unusually high this year.
“For young men, it’s no longer enough that it’s the sparkler. It is also no longer the legal firecracker,” said Jochen Kopelke, federal chairman of the police union GdP.
Calling for tighter controls on illegal fireworks, CDU politician Burkard Dregger identified the use of bullet bombs as the primary cause of injuries and property damage.
“The import of banned fireworks from eastern neighboring countries has got to be stopped with even stricter border checks,” Dregger told broadcaster RBB.
Among the five fatalities, the majority were linked to homemade pyrotechnics that exploded prematurely.
One incident, involving a 21-year-old man in Brandenburg, is under investigation for the use of an illegal firework.
Germany permits the use of fireworks for a limited time during New Year’s celebrations, but the growing prevalence of illegal and dangerous pyrotechnics has led to mounting pressure for reform.
Officials are considering measures such as heightened border security, enhanced enforcement of existing fireworks regulations, and increased penalties for offenders, particularly those who attack emergency workers.
“The severity of the injuries [this year] is unusual,” said a UKB hospital spokesperson, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue.
