Recommendations of the Editorial team
Shortly before the end of this year’s Wacken Open Air, the police, fire brigade, emergency services and organizers took a positive balance. At the traditional press appointment on Saturday, Frank Matthiesen, head of the Itzehoe police department, was satisfied: the traffic concept had taken and the number of crimes fell by around 20 percent compared to 2024 – from 86 to 68 incidents. A total of 150 further missions were reported, for example because of those in need or disoriented people – an easy increase compared to the previous year.
Rescue service with less work – 2,800 care
At the emergency services, it is also relieved: According to Volker Böhm, head of operations at the Schleswig-Holstein emergency services, the approximately 1,000 forces had 10 to 15 percent less to do than 2024. A total of 2,800 people were taken care of, of which 150 visitors and visitors had to be taken to the hospital. The collaboration with the clinic in Itzehoe was “excellent”, said Böhm.
A “quiet year” also for the fire brigade
The fire brigade and regulatory office report on many smaller incidents, including a cable fire on a car. District defense guide Matthias Venohr spoke of an “quiet year”.
Despite constant rain: organizer praise fans
Despite the return of the infamous “mud-wacking”, event manager Daniel Schlatter is impressed: “We can just mud.” Wacken co-founder Thomas Jensen also found praise for the community: “This time the Heroes are everyone who was here and made the festival possible.”
Departure could become a challenge
In the night of Sunday night, more rain was warned – and this could lead to problems on the softened area. Jensen warns: “The departure will probably be hard.” It is all the more important that all auto drivers assemble a towing hook and agree with the free towing by one of the 30 W: O: A tractors. However, the organizers ask that they first try to free themselves to minimize damage to the site. The police also remind you of following the planned abrasion route.
The Wacken Open Air app also warned this morning: full closure B430 Wapelfeld. Demanding: Please drive towards Peissen beforehand, then B77 towards Hohenwestedt. There it goes back to the B430.