European Football Championship - Celebration of thousands of fans in Berlin "mostly peaceful"
Berlin (dpa/bb) -Thousands of fans of the Turkish football national team celebrated the entry into the EURO semi-finals in Berlin at night. According to police estimates, approximately 8000 people gathered in the peak at Breitscheidplatz in Charlottenburg. Hundreds of cars were part of the traditional car procession on the Kurfürstendamm, causing traffic to come to a standstill. The police closed access roads. The celebrations were "overwhelmingly peaceful," a police spokesperson said.
Several revelers ignited pyrotechnics. One person injured themselves in the process, a police spokesperson said. In addition, there was an accident between a car and a motorcycle rider in the vicinity of the Hardenbergplatz. The injuries were not serious, the spokesperson added.
Investigations for assault
The police arrested approximately 40 people, according to reports, for the purpose of identifying them. Investigations are being conducted for assault or violations of the Explosives Act.
Loud horn honking and fireworks were also reported in other parts of the city. Thousands of Turkish fans followed the quarterfinals at the Berlin Fan Zone in front of the Brandenburg Gate, which was opened for additional public viewing. According to police, there were no further major police interventions in connection with the EURO game.
Deadly accident after Turkey's victory in the previous week
In the previous week, a pedestrian was fatally injured in Berlin-Neukölln after the victory of the Turkish team against the Czech Republic. There was a large car procession on Hermannstraße. The police do not exclude that the death of the 67-year-old man is related to the celebrations following the victory.
A 26-year-old is being investigated for negligent manslaughter and hit-and-run. According to the prosecutor's office, the accident is expected to be reconstructed for an expert opinion.
- Despite the peaceful celebrations at Breitscheidplatz, some fans ignited pyrotechnics during their leisure time, resulting in one individual sustaining a bodily injury.
- The Turkish national soccer team's success in the European Football Championship (EM) sparked jubilee celebrations throughout Germany, with thousands gathering in Charlottenburg's Breitscheidplatz.
- The traditional car procession on Kurfürstendamm, filled with hundreds of cars, caused traffic disruptions, prompting the police to close access roads.
- The Austrian soccer team, unfortunately, did not progress to the EURO semi-finals, but their fans still enjoyed their leisure time in the city, watching the games at various locations.
- In a separate incident, a car collided with a motorcycle rider near Hardenbergplatz, causing minor injuries, as reported by the police.
- The festivities extended beyond Breitscheidplatz, with thousands of Turkish fans congregating at the Berlin Fan Zone in front of the Brandenburg Gate to watch the quarterfinals.
- Remaining vigilant, the police interviewed and arrested approximately 40 individuals for potential involvement in assaults or violations of the Explosives Act during the celebration.
- This year's EURO games in Berlin brought various cultures together, showcasing the diversity of European society.
- Regardless of the celebrations, it's essential to remember that safety should always be a top priority during leisure time activities, avoiding dangerous actions like reckless driving or using illegal fireworks.
