New Year's Eve in Leipzig: 320 incidents, attacks on police and fires
New Year's Eve night in Leipzig was characterised by rioting and attacks on emergency personnel. Police recorded 320 incidents between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Fires and rioting around the New Year
Between 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 6 a.m. on New Year's morning, Leipzig Police Directorate recorded 320 incidents. According to l-iz.de, a series of fires, attacks on emergency personnel and charges relating to breach of the peace characterised the night, which was meant to be reserved for celebrating the new year.
In the Grünau district, a confrontation escalated to such an extent that the fire service and police initially had to withdraw. A specialised evidence-gathering and arrest unit eventually cordoned off a group of 23 rioters and recorded their identities. All those involved received charges for breach of the peace. In the city centre, police controlled individual persons, including children, who were equipped with illegal Category 4 fireworks – charges were also initiated against them.
The situation became particularly tense in Connewitz. There, burning barricades made from rubbish containers were erected and set alight. A firefighter suffered a blast trauma around 00:45 when extinguishing one such barricade after being fired upon with pyrotechnics. At Connewitzer Kreuz tram stop, unknown persons destroyed shelter roof panels and blew up a ticket machine. In the southern part of the city, police vehicles and emergency personnel were attacked with fireworks and bottles – a policewoman suffered minor injuries but remained fit for duty.
Police spokesman Olaf Hoppe confirmed that New Year's Eve crime in the city overall was on a downward trend, but acknowledged that aggression at flashpoints such as Connewitz was greater than in the previous year. Police President René Demmler stated: "Despite the predominantly peaceful course of events, police, rescue services and the fire service were placed under considerable strain. The attacks on emergency personnel are unacceptable and must be clearly condemned."
Leipzig was spared major disasters. The situation was different in other German and European cities. In Erfurt, a fire allegedly caused by New Year's Eve fireworks damaged historic buildings at Domplatz, including the city's oldest Indian restaurant and several flats. Approximately one hundred emergency personnel fought the fire until midday. The incident fuels the debate over a ban on private fireworks – the area was already subject to a prohibition zone.
Two young men in Bielefeld died after igniting homemade fireworks and sustaining severe facial injuries. One died at the scene of the accident, the other in hospital. In Amsterdam, the Vondelkerk, built in 1872 – a former church tower that later served as a cultural venue – burnt down completely. According to local reports, only the foundations remained. The original tower had already burned down in 1904 and was subsequently rebuilt.
Source: Die Zeit Kriminalität