The German government on Wednesday condemned a series of incidents on New Year's Eve in which police officers and firefighters were attacked and injured, mostly by fireworks.
Revelers across the country traditionally ring in the new year by setting off a large number of fireworks in public places. But the latest celebrations were marred by the use of fireworks against emergency officials.
In Berlin, 30 police officers and a firefighter were injured in clashes or attacks on New Year's Eve, leading to 400 arrests, city officials said. Hundreds of police officers from across the country were sent to the capital to help prevent further violence.
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Five people were killed and hundreds injured across the country after being accidentally hit by fireworks, the German news agency dpa reported.
Very strong illegal fireworks explosions in Berlin also caused extensive damage in two Berlin neighborhoods and injured numerous people, some of them seriously. According to city firefighters, the powerful explosions severely damaged numerous house facades and broke many windows.
Currently, 36 apartments are uninhabitable, dpa reported.
“The deployment of strong state and federal police forces and early and consistent repression are the appropriate means against the perpetrators of violence and chaos,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
“However, the numerous arrests in Berlin alone and the new attacks on police officers also show that this repression was absolutely necessary.”
He wished all injured officers a speedy recovery and promised that all perpetrators will be “prosecuted and punished with the greatest severity.”
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