Highfield festival: Ferris wheel returns one year after fire!

Highfield festival: Ferris wheel returns one year after fire!

Preparations for this year's Highfield Festival in Großpösna near Leipzig are in full swing. The organizer plans to offer a ride of this kind again a year after the devastating fire on the Ferris wheel. This fire occurred on August 17, 2024 and led to an alarming number of injuries. According to [lvz.de] (https://www.lvz.de/lokales/leipzig/leipzig-highfield-beauter-plant-jahr-nach-wieder-mit- giant-bike-3ja46y5e3rbqtepl42cbmzpwfu.html), over 60 people had to be treated acutely, with at least four people with serious fire injuries became. The misfortune took its course when the fire broke out in the initially unoccupied gondola of a ferris wheel and quickly spread to a second gondola.

pictures and videos of the event recorded shocked spectators, while the fire and medical teams were already stationed around the clock on the festival site. Professional cooperation between the fire brigade, police and the organizer FKP Scorpio is positively emphasized by the authorities. Security forces locked the area around the Ferris wheel and opened emergency outputs to bring the evacuated visitors to safety.

Investigations and legal steps

The investigation by the Leipzig public prosecutor has not yet been completed. Two procedures are currently underway against unknown assault and negligent arson. According to t-online.de already carried out more than 178 interrogations as part of the investigation, and the number of damaged people was from 75 to 65 corrected after new knowledge from the interrogations are available. Of these 65 affected people suffered 20 flue gas poisoning and other physical and psychological impairments.

The causes of the fire are still unclear, but according to statistics from the Institute for Damage Control and Damage research, electrical errors are common causes of fire. They often result from insulation damage or technical malfunctions that can lead to high temperatures. Schadprisma.de) shows that electrical fires can make a significant part of the reported damage and the increased complexity of electrical installations can also be a risk.

outlook on the Festival 2025

Despite the tragedy last year, preparations for the upcoming Highfield Festival are optimistic. The organizer expects around 30,000 visitors and plans to offer the Ferris wheel again, but this time not with the previous operator. The security concepts have been revised and the organizer is determined not to repeat the incidents from last year. Around 100 people were contacted to express them to their regret and to provide help, which shows that the security and well -being of the guests will be at the top.

The events related to the Highfield Festival have rejected discourses on security and fire protection in the event industry. Visitors and those responsible hope that such incidents can be avoided in the future, and therefore it remains to be seen that the upcoming festival will be a carefree pleasure for everyone.