Emergency at German Festival: Ferris Wheel Fire Leaves Dozens Injured

By Ivan PetrenkoAug 18, 2024 14:35 PMNews
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Crowd watching fire and smoke during a festival at night
Festival-goers witness the blaze as chaos ensues. Source: unsplash

On Saturday evening, a serious incident occurred at the Highfield music festival, held at Lake Stormthaler near Leipzig: a fire broke out on a Ferris wheel, resulting in injuries to around 30 people.

Highfield is one of Germany's most renowned rock and indie music festivals, taking place every August near Leipzig. With over 20 years of history, the festival has become a significant part of the European music scene, attracting iconic performers like Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, and NOFX. The festival's uniqueness lies not only in its strong lineup but also in its picturesque setting on the shores of the man-made Lake Stormthaler, surrounded by green meadows and beaches.

Flames and smoke rising from the ride were visible from a distance, causing panic among festival attendees. At the time of the fire, around 9:00 PM, two gondolas on the Ferris wheel were ablaze, leading to the urgent evacuation of people from the scene. According to reports, German rapper Ski Aggu, who was performing at the festival, was forced to interrupt his set to alert the audience to the unfolding situation.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but festival organizers and local authorities have already launched an investigation into the incident. Witnesses describe the situation as chaotic, with many injured receiving first aid on the spot.

This incident has sparked a wave of discussion among festival-goers and social media users, who are expressing concerns about safety at large events.

Festival organizers have stated that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure safety at the remaining festival events and to provide assistance to those affected.

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