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New Year Fireworks Spur Injuries, Fires and Heavy Police Activity Across Europe

The Netherlands now moves to end private fireworks from New Year’s Eve 2026 following repeated violence against emergency services.

Overview

  • Brandenburg logged 737 police deployments and 21 pyrotechnic injuries, a quieter night overall than last year but with more wounded reported by officials.
  • A powerful blast in Berlin-Spandau devastated a Woolworth store after a tipped battery ignited stored fireworks including a ‘Kugelbombe,’ slightly injuring a child, police said.
  • In Traun, Austria, a suspected stray rocket set a multi-building roof ablaze, prompting the evacuation of about 70 people and sending several to hospital, according to firefighters.
  • Hamburg police reported 1,398 operations with ten officers injured, including incidents where pyrotechnics were fired at responders, while city crews collected about 16 tonnes of debris at major hotspots.
  • Municipal cleanups concentrated on city centres as residents faced legal duties to clear sidewalks; Dresden deployed a 43-person crew expecting roughly 60 tonnes of debris, and authorities urged waiting until midday, using gloves and reporting suspected duds to fire or police.