On New Year’s Eve in Berlin, more than 100 people were temporarily arrested by the police before midnight for misusing fireworks. Most of the cases involve violations of explosives regulations, the police said. Nine police officers were slightly injured, mostly due to trauma from firecrackers.
In Gropiusstadt in Neukölln, the police confiscated a home-made fireworks display for which several batteries of rockets were connected to each other using detonators. Police photos showed the larger system consisting of several boxes and crates full of rockets, from which electrical cables led to an ignition device.
Meanwhile, the big New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate in the center of the capital attracted thousands of people hours before midnight. They stood in long lines at the entrances to the barriers where bags and tickets were checked.
Visitors gathered on the western side of the gate in March 18th Square to watch the seven-minute fireworks display at midnight.
Despite the cold night, the mood was extremely good. Several DJs played music from a stage and the gate was lavishly illuminated with a light show. Some visitors danced. There were also many families and couples among the people of all ages. Some had decorated themselves.
