In Berlin, a tree unexpectedly collapsed onto a cluster of individuals.
The weekend usually sees Mauerpark in Berlin bustling with activity: it's where the flea market is, people grill, or simply relax on the lawn. But this time around, it could've been disastrous for a group of individuals. A poplar tree unexpectedly came crashing down. The fire department calls it "luck in misfortune."
At Berlin's Mauerpark, a tree fell on a group, leaving them with three injuries. As per a fire department spokesperson, the poplar tree likely fell due to the wind in the afternoon and struck a group. Fortunately, only three were injured. "Bild" reports that one person incurred head injuries, while the other two had minor injuries. All were taken to the hospital. Had the tree fallen on the other side, it would've hit the flea market.
The weather department didn't have a warning in place for the area when the incident happened. In fact, some parts of Berlin were experiencing strong winds. Fire department spokesperson, Rolf Erbe, said, "You always have to consider the possibility that trees could be either unhealthy, old, or under stress due to the wind, which could cause them to fall."
Following multiple emergency calls, the fire department initially reported a "wave of injured people" seeking assistance. They deployed around 60 personnel, a rescue helicopter, and a fire department crane. But there was no one trapped beneath the tree, according to the spokesperson. The fire department had 55 emergency forces on the scene.
Exactly how the accident happened is still uncertain. Rolf Erbe suggests that wind may have been the culprit, causing the tree to fall. The fire department has since attended to the injured. Any further investigation into the events falls under the responsibility of the police and the green space department.
Mauerpark is the former border strip between Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding. It's known as a popular gathering spot. Every Sunday, the huge flea market draws tourists from across the globe to the park. There's also open-air karaoke, street artists, and barbecue parties. The flea market remained open after the incident on Sunday.
In the past, a tree in a park at Boxhagener Platz in Berlin-Friedrichshain succumbed to the wind too. This 100-year-old linden tree, though, didn't hurt anyone in the usually well-visited park. The tree had been plagued with decay and fungus for a while.
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The international community expressed concern over the tree incident in Berlin, showing solidarity with the affected individuals. Despite the incident occurring in Berlin's popular Mauerpark, the fire department managed to respond swiftly, ensuring minimal damage and injuries.
