BERLIN — The German government on Wednesday condemned a series of incidents on New Year’s Eve in which police officers and firefighters were attacked and injured, mostly by fireworks.
Revelers across the country traditionally ring in the new year by setting off a large number of fireworks in public places. But the latest celebrations were marred by the use of fireworks against emergency officials.
In Berlin, 30 police officers and a firefighter were injured in clashes or attacks on New Year’s Eve, leading to 400 arrests, city officials said. Hundreds of police officers from across the country were sent to the capital to help prevent further violence.
Five people died and hundreds were injured after being accidentally hit by fireworks, the German news agency dpa reported.
German Inside Minister Nancy Faeser said: “The deployment of strong police forces from the federal states and the federal police and early and constant repression are the appropriate means against the perpetrators of violence and chaos. However, the numerous arrests in Berlin alone and the new attacks on police officers also demonstrate that this repression was absolutely necessary.”
He wished all injured officers a speedy recovery and promised that all perpetrators will be “prosecuted and punished with the greatest severity.”
