At least five people lost their lives, and hundreds were arrested during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany, which were disrupted by riots across multiple cities, according to media reports.
The fatalities occurred as five men died while handling pyrotechnics. Several others sustained injuries, some of them life-threatening, the reports stated on Wednesday.
In Berlin, police reported 390 arrests. Preliminary assessments revealed that at least 13 officers were injured, including one seriously. Emergency responders and police were targeted with firecrackers and New Year’s rockets. Despite these incidents, a police spokesperson noted that no major violence was reported in the capital.
In Leipzig, attacks on police officers were reported, with around 50 individuals assaulting them using fireworks and bottles. Barricades were set up, and garbage fires were ignited, adding to the chaos.
In Munich, riots involving several hundred individuals were recorded. Police estimated that 200 to 300 people, mainly associated with leftist groups, engaged in attacks against officers.
