SAEDNEWS: At least 23 people were injured when two gondolas of a ferris wheel caught fire at a music festival near Leipzig in eastern Germany, the dpa news agency reported on Sunday.
According to SAEDNEWS, A fire broke out at the Highfield Music Festival near Störmthaler Lake, close to Leipzig, on Saturday night, resulting in over 20 reported injuries. According to police, the blaze began in one gondola of the ferris wheel and quickly spread to a second. Among the injured, four individuals suffered burns while one experienced injuries from a fall. Additionally, several first responders and at least four police officers were taken to the hospital for potential smoke inhalation, as reported by The Guardian.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which cast a shadow over the festivities at the popular festival. As of Sunday morning, police were still unable to provide detailed information regarding the condition of those injured, and the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed.
The ferris wheel's operator informed dpa that there were no passengers in the gondola where the fire ignited, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The festival atmosphere has been affected, as safety concerns are now at the forefront of authorities' priorities.
video credits: the guardian