Overview
- Berlin’s fire service reported more than 1,400 rescue missions by Saturday afternoon and later over 2,000 alarm calls, with all three rescue helicopters grounded due to frost.
- Multiple hospitals reported overcapacity, including Charité sites treating more than 200 ice-related patients with many fractures and extended overnight surgeries.
- Potsdam’s Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann declared a mass-casualty situation, at times caring for up to 86 injured people and activating extra surgical and nursing teams.
- Berlin police logged 565 traffic crashes between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, while slips on icy pavements drove most injuries presenting to emergency departments.
- Authorities across NRW, Lower Saxony and Saxony reported numerous accidents and warned of renewed slick conditions into Monday and around the New Year.