Germany faces calls for stricter fireworks regulations after New Year’s Eve chaos left 5 dead, dozens injured, and over 400 arrests in Berlin.
German officials are urging stricter regulations on illegal fireworks after New Year’s Eve saw five fatalities and numerous injuries linked to banned explosives like "kugelbomben."
Riots in Berlin led to over 400 arrests and highlighted the dangers of homemade and smuggled pyrotechnics.
Authorities reported a surge in severe injuries, with Berlin’s UKB hospital treating several cases, including children. CDU politician Burkard Dregger called for tighter border checks to curb imports of illegal fireworks, while police union head Jochen Kopelke noted a shift toward more dangerous explosives among revelers.
Germany’s limited legal fireworks period is under scrutiny, with proposed reforms including stricter border security and tougher penalties for offenders, particularly those targeting emergency workers.
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