Properly lit, one flies Kugelbombe 80 to 200 meters into the air before exploding in a tangle of colors and sparks. But lit by amateurs, these firework bombs, which may only be used for professional fireworks shows, are especially dangerous. The homemade or illegally imported spherical firework bombs contain powerful explosives, sometimes supplemented with aerosol cans, plastic tubes and gasoline, and have a fuse that burns out at high speed.
Fireworks bombs were the cause of at least two of the five fatal accidents during New Year’s Eve in Germany. As many as 36 homes in the Berlin district of Schöneberg became uninhabitable after the explosion of a fireworks bomb destroyed countless windows, doors and facades. In Berlin alone, 17 people were injured by Kugelbombs, including small children, according to local authorities. They mainly suffered injuries to their hands, face and eyes.
The total number of patients who had to go to hospital was in line with previous years, a spokesperson for Berlin’s Unfallkrankenhaus (Accident Hospital) told that Welt. “But the severity of the injuries is unusual.” The explosive power of the fireworks bombs is the biggest problem, according to the spokesperson. “As a result, the eye no longer has time to close the eyelid.”
Stricter controls
Reason enough to raise emotions in Germany. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) is calling for stricter controls at the border with the Czech Republic and Poland, where many of the fireworks bombs are purchased. “The import of so-called fireworks bombs, which are already banned in Germany, can only be prevented with stricter border controls,” Wegner told the DPA news agency.
According to the South German Zeitung the fireworks bombs can be purchased in Eastern European countries from 16 euros each. This mainly causes problems in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony, from where the Czech Republic and Poland are easily accessible.
Fireworks belong in the hands of professionals
Discussions about a complete ban on fireworks rage every year in Germany, just like in the Netherlands. Wegner is not in favor. “The vast majority of Berliners celebrated the New Year peacefully. Why should we deny them and their families a happy New Year’s Eve with traditional fireworks?”
Import of fireworks
Stephan Weh, head of the Berlin police union, calls for a ban on private fireworks. The import of fireworks must also be tackled more rigorously, says Weh. “Rockets, fireworks and composite fireworks are used to attack people and the number of firework bombs is growing,” he said in a statement. “Fireworks belong in the hands of professionals.”
The opposition Greens party agrees: “The question is why we as a society are prepared to set off fireworks overnight with immeasurable collateral damage to people, animals and the environment,” says Vasili Franco, the party’s Home Affairs spokesperson.
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