At the Highfield Festival near Leipzig in eastern Germany, a distressing incident unfolded as 23 individuals were harmed when a Ferris wheel’s two gondolas caught fire. According to authorities, the fire originated in one gondola before spreading to a second one on Saturday night. Included in the injured were four individuals with burn wounds and one who suffered injuries from a fall. Additionally, several others, including first responders and four police officers, were scheduled for hospital evaluations due to potential smoke inhalation.

The festival, taking place at Stoermthaler Lake, turned chaotic as emergency services rushed to the scene to address the situation. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the cause of the fire that led to the distressing incident.

Despite efforts, detailed information regarding the condition of the injured remained elusive on Sunday morning. Moreover, the exact tally of casualties resulting from the tragic event had yet to be finalized. The Ferris wheel operator informed news agency dpa that there were no passengers present in the gondola where the fire originated, offering a small respite amidst the unfolding tragedy.