Traumatic New Year's Eve: 24-year-old dies in NRW after fireworks!

During New Year's Eve there was a tragic incident in North Rhine-Westphalia, in which a 24-year-old man in Geseke was killed by the ignition mechanism of a fireworks, a so-called ball bomb. According to reports from the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the victim had previously stipulated something special to have acquired. After leaving the celebration around midnight, he lit the fireworks, using a ventilation tube as an improvisation to carry out the ignition mechanism. The detonation occurred in front of spectators, including children, and led to serious injuries to the man, who died a little later. At the scene of the accident, the rescue workers found a large crater and burned area. Investigations showed that the fireworks were bought via Snapchat. As a result, a 19-year-old suspect from Bad Lippspringe was arrested, while while searching for apartments, further ball bombs, drugs and cash were confiscated. The young man had paid 45 euros for the firecracker. Nationwide, five men died in similar incidents on New Year's Eve.

The violence and accidents on New Year's Eve also have another light on the attacks against emergency services in North Rhine-Westphalia. As Radio Essen , NRW Interior Reul commented on attacks on police officers, lifeguards and fireplaces. Especially in large cities. The perpetrators often act in groups and use firecrackers and rockets as weapons, which indicates a lack of inhibition threshold. Reul emphasizes that the punishments that were tightened six years ago do not show the desired effect. Up to five years in prison can be imposed on attacks on police officers. He made it clear that the rapid determination and punishment of the perpetrators is of great importance and pointed out that perpetrators were identified in 250 cases last year. Over 6,000 police officers were deployed on New Year's Eve, for example, 200 people were fired with fireworks at the Steeler water tower and numerous injuries among the emergency services. In addition, ticket machines in Essen were damaged by the use of firecrackers, while the police recorded around 60 missions around the turn of the year.