Pepper spray incident in Erfurt disco: 37 people affected
A dispute involving pepper spray broke out at a disco on Erfurter Anger during the night into Sunday. More than 30 people were injured.
Large-scale operation on the Anger: pepper spray dispute in Erfurt club
A dispute escalated at a disco on the Anger in Erfurt during the night into Sunday, in which pepper spray was deployed. According to BILD, a large contingent of fire service, ambulance service and police subsequently responded.
According to current information, four guests initially became involved in a quarrel inside the club. According to the authorities, pepper spray was apparently used in the process. As the exact number of those affected was initially unknown, a "mass casualty incident" was precautionarily declared.
"There was a dispute among four people in the disco, during which pepper spray was apparently also used," a spokesman for Erfurt police told BILD. Police attended with an estimated 30 officers and several special units. The professional fire service, several ambulances and the emergency services and care team of civil protection were also deployed. Command of the operation lay with the fire service.
In total, 37 people were affected according to the fire service. Some of those affected suffered from respiratory and eye irritation, according to police. One person had to be taken to hospital as a precaution. Numerous those involved and witnesses were questioned at the scene.
The situation remained tense after the incident: at the entrance to the disco, there were repeated verbal altercations among guests who had to leave the club. Police had to intervene several times to separate quarrelsome individuals. Visitors were instructed to leave the Anger – some followed the instructions only reluctantly. However, no arrests were made according to police.
Investigations are now underway. Police must clarify how the dispute arose and who deployed the pepper spray. The disco closed following the operation.
Source: BILD