New Year's Eve in Berlin: Danger from illegally built ball bombs!

New Year's Eve in Berlin: Danger from illegally built ball bombs!

Berlin - A bloody New Year's Eve has challenged several lives and left numerous injuries. In Berlin-Tegel, eight people were injured in the explosion of a ball bomb, including two, while a toddler is also affected. There were similar incidents in the surrounding area: a 21-year-old man died in Kremmen, and in Havelsee-Fohrde two other people, at least one of them seriously, suffered life-threatening injuries. Throughout Berlin, clinics reported a total of 17 injuries, according to the Berlin accident hospital, with, for example, serious handicraft and facial injuries. The director of the hospital, Leila Harhaus-Hähner, found a worrying trend in self-made ball bombs, which are responsible for the massive injuries. These illegal explosives are only approved for professional pyrotechnicians in Germany and can cause unexpected destruction, such as RBB24 reported.

dangerous explosions from illegal fireworks

The tragedies are not limited to Berlin: in Geseke (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Hamburg-Ochsenwerder, men ignite homemade fireworks and lost their lives. In Hamburg, a 20-year-old was fatally injured immediately after lighting a ball bomb. Such explosive material, often smuggled out of the Czech Republic or Poland, is increasingly causing fatal accidents. Experts warn of the enormous risks of illegal pyrotechnic products that are often sold completely unregulated. Five men died on New Year's Eve from self-made firecrackers, and the severity of the injuries is worrying, such as bild.de reported.

The explosive accidents are serious, since the fuse of these self -made bangs is often far too short, which leads to an immediate risk of detonation. In contrast to the legally regulated fireworks, in which there is a delay between ignition and explosion, the improper use often brings with it devastating consequences. Police officers are calling for stricter measures against the sale and use of such dangerous products to prevent future disasters.