LEIPZIG, Germany — A fire erupted on a Ferris wheel at the Highfield Festival near Leipzig, Germany, on Saturday evening, injuring approximately 30 people, including four police officers, according to local authorities and media reports.
The blaze started around 9 p.m. local time at the festival grounds near Stormthaler Lake. Two gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire, with images showing flames and smoke billowing into the air. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Festival organizers released a statement saying, “Those affected are receiving treatment and are doing well considering the circumstances.” They added that they were in close coordination with fire brigade, police, and medical services.
A fire brigade spokesperson later confirmed that the situation was under control. The two affected gondolas were completely burned out.
German rapper Ski Aggu, who was performing when the fire broke out, addressed the incident on his Instagram account. “I am absolutely dismayed and shocked by the Ferris wheel fire during my show on the Highfield,” he said. Aggu explained that he was instructed to continue his performance to prevent mass panic, prioritizing crowd control.
“For me, the priority was that the situation did not escalate further, which fortunately also worked,” Aggu stated. He thanked the audience for remaining calm and praised the quick response of rescue workers.
Despite the incident, festival organizers announced shortly after 10 p.m. that they had closed the Ferris wheel and resumed performances on stage. They urged attendees to “continue to look after one another,” adding, “You are doing a great job. The shows are back in action.”
The Highfield Festival, an annual music event, attracts thousands of visitors to the area near Leipzig. This incident raises questions about safety measures at large-scale outdoor events and the protocols in place for emergency situations.
Local authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and the overall safety procedures at the festival. The incident may lead to reviews of safety regulations for temporary amusement rides at similar events across Germany. As the festival continues, organizers and local officials will likely maintain heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of remaining attendees. The long-term implications of this incident for the Highfield Festival and similar
Credit: news.sky.com
