In Germany, while the majority of places welcomed the new year peacefully, the night was marred by incidents that led to clashes between emergency services and civilians. The Minister of the Interior, Nancy Fezer, condemned the actions of those who disrupted police, fire, and emergency service operations using pyrotechnic devices. She stressed that the perpetrators must face severe legal consequences, reports DW.
“Civil War-Like Situations”
The political debate surrounding the aftermath of the incidents on New Year’s Eve intensified, with Bavarian police chief, Joachim Herrmann, describing the events as “situations that resemble civil war.” He pointed to Berlin as an example, where severe damage occurred, including the destruction of a residential building due to the use of explosive devices.
In response to the ongoing violence, Dirk Wiese, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, stated that it was high time for laws to strengthen the protection of rescue teams, criticizing former Federal Justice Minister, Marco Buschmann, for not taking necessary actions.
Police Union’s Concerns
The German Police Union (GdP) raised concerns over the increasing need for more personnel to protect citizens and emergency responders. Union president, Jochen Kopelke, emphasized that all available staffing and legal resources have been exhausted.
During the night, there were numerous attacks on police officers and firefighters in cities like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Leipzig, and Hamburg. In Berlin, 37 police officers and one firefighter were injured, with one police officer seriously wounded by an illegal explosive device.
Five Dead in Pyrotechnics Incidents
Tragically, five people lost their lives due to the use of pyrotechnic devices during the celebrations. The Police Union described this as a “horrific toll” for the first day of the new year.
There was widespread damage, especially in Berlin’s Schöneberg district, where powerful explosions caused significant destruction to buildings, including broken windows and facades. At least 36 people had to temporarily evacuate their homes, and two were hospitalized due to injuries.
“I Cannot Tolerate This Macho Behavior”
Jochen Kopelke also expressed frustration with the macho behavior of young men in socially marginalized neighborhoods, where attacks on police and rescue teams are becoming increasingly common. He called for swift and harsh consequences for the attackers, stressing that the government must address the rise of far-left extremism in these incidents.
