Fireworks accident in Germany on New Year's Eve kills 5 people

Fireworks-related accidents across Germany on New Year's Day 2025 killed five people and injured 30 police officers, German police said on January 2.

A 24-year-old man near Paderborn in the northwestern region of North Rhine-Westphalia died after detonating a firework believed to be homemade, local police said.

In the city of Oschatz in Saxony, a 45-year-old man died from serious head injuries when he set off a "firework bomb." These are powerful fireworks that require a special permit to buy.

Meanwhile, in the city of Hartha, a 50-year-old man died on the spot from head injuries while setting off rocket fireworks. Near Hamburg, in the north, a 20-year-old man died while setting off fireworks.

The fifth victim was a man in Kremen near Berlin, involved in an "inappropriate" firework. Three other people in the area were also seriously injured in similar incidents.

Police also said about 400 people were arrested in the capital Berlin on New Year's Eve in connection with the setting off of powerful fireworks.

Germans traditionally set off fireworks on New Year's Eve to welcome in the new year. The use of powerful fireworks has raised concerns due to the high number of injuries each year, as well as air and noise pollution.