Ferris Wheel Fire at Highfield Festival Injures Dozens

A fire at the Highfield Festival, one of Germany’s largest independent rock events, left at least 23 people injured on Saturday night. The fire broke out on a Ferris wheel during a concert, causing panic and disrupting the festival, which had drawn tens of thousands of attendees to Störmthaler Lake near Leipzig. The blaze, which erupted just after 9:00 p.m. local time, spread quickly, engulfing two of the ride’s gondolas in flames.

Details of the Fire

According to police reports, the fire began when material underneath the Ferris wheel caught fire and spread to the gondolas above. Early investigations suggest that the cause of the fire could be linked to mats ignited by a cigarette, pyrotechnics, or an electrical fault. The Ferris wheel, standing at 38 meters tall, was carrying passengers when the fire broke out, but the quick actions of the ride operators prevented a greater catastrophe. The ride was accelerated to facilitate the evacuation of the other gondolas, though the exact number of people inside at the time remains unclear.

Despite the dramatic scenes, the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes by local firefighters, who received applause from the crowd for their swift response. The blaze was intense enough to completely destroy two of the gondolas, leaving nothing but charred steel frames.

Injuries and Emergency Response

The fire resulted in 65 people receiving medical attention on-site, with 16 requiring further treatment at hospitals. Among those injured, four suffered from burns, and others were treated for smoke inhalation, including first responders and police officers. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening. The festival organizers praised the crowd for remaining calm during the incident, which helped prevent further injuries or chaos.

Eyewitnesses described the shocking moment when the Ferris wheel caught fire. One festival-goer recounted how the ride suddenly sped up, lifting the burning gondolas higher into the air, while others reported hearing panicked screams from those inside the gondolas. The festival was temporarily paused as emergency services responded to the fire, but the event resumed a few hours later, continuing with performances as scheduled.

Investigation and Reactions

Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, with a special team arriving at the site on Sunday to gather evidence. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the focus has been on the material beneath the Ferris wheel, which is believed to have sparked the fire. The Ferris wheel’s operator, Otfried Hanstein, expressed shock and disbelief at the incident, noting that his family had operated Ferris wheels for generations without such an event occurring.

Rapper Ski Aggu, who was performing on stage at the time of the fire, later addressed the situation on social media, expressing his shock and concern for the victims. He explained that he had been advised not to stop the performance to prevent mass panic, a decision that likely helped avoid a more dangerous situation. Despite some initial criticism from the crowd for his reaction, his statement emphasized the importance of keeping the audience calm.

Festival Continues Despite Tragedy

The Highfield Festival, which has been held annually since 1998, attracts around 35,000 visitors each year. Despite the fire, the festival organizers decided to continue with the event, thanking attendees for their cooperation during the emergency. The final day of the festival featured performances from popular bands, including Macklemore, as planned.

The fire has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a carefree weekend of music and celebration. However, the swift response from emergency services and the calm behavior of the festival-goers ensured that a potentially devastating situation was contained. As investigations continue, the focus will remain on understanding the cause of the fire and preventing similar incidents in the future.