Dozens hurt in German festival ferris wheel fire

Dozens of people were injured when two gondolas on a ferris wheel caught fire at Germany’s Highfield festival.

The incident took place at around 9pm on Saturday (17 August) – the second night of the Leipzig event – during a set by rapper Ski Aggu.

Police say that 65 people were treated in connection with the fire, with 16 taken to hospital for further medical treatment. Four of the casualties suffered burns and another was hurt in a fall, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Initial reports suggested material located under the ferris wheel caught fire before spreading to an empty gondola, which subsequently spread to a second.

Police say the investigation into the cause has now been completed.

“There is currently no indication that the fire was caused intentionally,” says a statement from Saxony Police. “A technical defect in the ride can also be ruled out as the cause of the fire based on the current state of the investigation. The investigations, particularly into negligent misconduct, are still ongoing.”

“We would like to thank everyone present for impressively showing how solidarity works, even in a difficult situation”

The scene around the ferris wheel was cordoned off, with organisers announcing at 10pm that the festival would resume with an amended timetable. Acts over the course of the weekend included Rise Against, CRO, The Kooks, Peter Fox, Provinz and Martimoto.

A joint venture by promoters FKP Scorpio and Semmel Concerts, the 35,000-cap festival was held at Störmthaler Lake between 16-18 August.

“We would like to thank everyone present for impressively showing how solidarity works, even in a difficult situation,” says Stephan Thanscheidt, FKP MD and head of festival bookings. “When the first gondola of the ferris wheel caught fire, first responders from the security service and the festival crew, emergency services, police and fire brigade ensured that all occupants were evacuated as quickly as possible and that the fire was brought under control in just a few minutes. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.

“Our thanks also go to all our guests, whose exemplary behaviour made the rescue work much easier, and to our amazing artists, who despite everything made Highfield a great music festival and peacefully stood up for diversity and solidarity through music.”

A Ferris wheel caught fire and injured a number of people at the Highfield music festival near Leipzig in eastern Germany pic.twitter.com/VO1zVPBKFP

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 18, 2024

In an Instagram post, Ski Aggu says he was advised by festival staff to continue his performance to avoid causing panic.

“I was only told in my ear that I should not cancel the show under any circumstances but should first remain in dialogue with you so that there is no mass panic,” he says. “For me, the priority was that the situation did not escalate further, which fortunately also worked. Thank you for staying so calm and possibly preventing worse. The decisive factor for this was above all the work of the rescue workers, who reacted so quickly and thus prevented the situation from worsening.”

Leipzig district administrator Henry Graichen and mayor Daniel Strobel thanked the emergency services “for their quick and courageous intervention”, as well as praising promoters’ “professional handling of this challenging situation”.

“Since the Highfield Festival took place for the first time at Störmthaler Lake in 2010, a relationship of trust has developed between the actors involved, which enabled rapid action in this specific exceptional situation,” they say. “The operation will soon be evaluated in detail in order to draw possible conclusions for the security concept of future festivals.”

Highfield, which will return on 15-17 August next year, has already announced its K.I.Z as its first 2025 headliner. Festival passes go on sale today from €169.

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