A Ferris wheel caught fire during a summer music festival in Germany and at least thirty people, including four police officers, were injured, according to a report. New York Post. The incident happened in a gondola at the Highfield Festival on Stormthaler Lake at around 9.13pm. The fire started in a lower tub and quickly spread to the other tubs, terrifying those on the ride.
Videos taken from the festival showed the Ferris wheel spinning even after two gondolas turned into fireballs. In addition, thick, black smoke was also seen in the night sky and many people were seen screaming.
A fire broke out in one of the Ferris wheel gondolas during the Highfield Festival on the outskirts of the German city of Leipzig yesterday.
At least 30 people, including police officers, were injured, according to reports from the area. pic.twitter.com/nMMfmxc4Pl
— The Secret Firefighter UK (@TheSecretFF999) August 18, 2024
The conductors stopped the train and reversed it so that the burning train was closer to the top of the wheelhouse. The video showed just how powerful the fire was – a white flame was burning in its center.
According to the outlet, of the 30 people who were hurt, some suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation. However, two people were seriously injured.
German rapper Ski Aggu was on stage when the fire broke out and was instructed to continue with his performance despite the accident. “I was just told through my earpiece that I should not finish the show under any circumstances,” the rapper said on his Instagram. He said he was told to continue performing to avoid “mass panic.”
In addition, firefighters successfully turned two gondolas upside down to prevent the fire from spreading. “We have just learned that more than 30 people are injured, including four injured police officers, but all of them probably have minor injuries,” police spokeswoman Josephine Sader told the tabloid BILD.
The fire has been brought under control, but two gondolas have been destroyed. According to the organisers, the fire broke out due to a technical problem in the Ferris wheel.
