Nineteen people were injured Friday night at the fireworks display closing the fair in Düsseldorf. Four of them are seriously injured. Among the victims is at least one child, a police spokesperson told the Rheinische Post.
According to the fire department, fireworks may have flown in the wrong direction and at least one rocket exploded just above the audience, broadcaster WDR reports.
An organizer suspects that things went wrong due to a collapsed launch platform. Although the cause of the incident is still being investigated, the police assume it was an accident.
About eighty firefighters and other services responded to the scene. Several injured people have been taken to the hospital. The organization says that following the accident, it will consider whether the traditional fireworks should remain part of the event.
The accident happened at the annual Düsseldorfer Rheinkirmes. The event was stopped prematurely. Normally, the fair would continue until Sunday. This year, a large drone show with a thousand devices was also held for the first time, according to the organization the largest in the country.