Commemoration in Lübeck: 30 years after the arson attack on Hafenstrasse!

Commemoration in Lübeck: 30 years after the arson attack on Hafenstrasse!

Next week there will be a sad commemoration of one of the most devastating arson attacks in post-war German history in Lübeck. On January 19, 1996, a shelter for refugees burned down on Hafenstrasse, killing ten people, including seven children. 38 others were injured. Despite numerous leads in the investigation, the perpetrators have not yet been identified. This reports NDR.

To commemorate the terrible events, the Hafenstrasse 96 initiative is organizing a demonstration in Lübeck city center on January 17, 2026. According to the description of the then mayor Bouteiller, the case is still deeply anchored in the city's memory today. The demonstration begins at 12 p.m. in the market, and the city administration is already warning of possible traffic disruptions.

A memorial for the victims

The day after the demonstration, on January 18th, a vigil will be held at the memorial on Hafenstrasse, at the corner of Konstinstrasse, at 12 p.m. Visitors are invited to lay flowers, while candles are not allowed for safety reasons. The commemoration should not only honor the victims, but also set an example against forgetting. In the 1990s, there were numerous similar attacks on refugee shelters in Germany, such as in Rostock-Lichtenhagen or Mölln, which shocked the country. Many people were injured and many people died in these acts of violence, which makes it clear that xenophobia and racism are still an urgent problem, reports Mirror.

The memorial event offers an important platform to reflect on the tragedy that occurred at the time and at the same time to ask urgent questions about how to come to terms with and the causes of such acts of violence. The ongoing search for the perpetrators will also be a topic on Remembrance Day. To this day, this case remains unsolved, which is unbearable for many relatives and those affected.

A look into the past

The people of Cologne know how important remembering is. According to a list of anti-refugee attacks in Germany from 1990 to 2013, there were repeated worrying incidents in which refugees were attacked. These attacks reflect a climate in which violence against minorities is not only tolerated but often encouraged. Historical reviews, like them Wikipedia offers, underline the need to actively combat racism and intolerance.

The commemoration of the victims of the arson attack in Lübeck will once again be a sign of peace and solidarity this year. It remains to be hoped that such memories serve not only as a reminder, but also as an incentive to work for a more open and fair society.