Incidents resulting in injury or damage - Investigation by district office into a fallen tree in Mauerpark.
A tree in Berlin Mauerpark has caused an accident, and the Pankow district administration will conduct an in-depth investigation with the help of an external expert report. "Like all trees in the district, this tree underwent a regular inspection for possible damage signs," stated the administration on Monday. The area around the tree has been isolated using a construction fence, and an independent expert will also examine the surroundings.
The incident occurred when a roughly 15-meter-tall linden tree fell on a group of people on Sunday, reportedly injuring three. One victim required hospitalization, according to firefighters. The district administration has expressed regret over the tragic accident and wishes a speedy recovery for those involved. Contrary to rumours, the injured person in the hospital was not a child, firefighters clarified.
The tree may have fallen because of the strong winds in the afternoon, said a Pankow district administration representative. It was extremely windy and gusty in some parts of Berlin on Sunday. The tree is estimated to be around 29 years old and has a trunk circumference of approximately 105 centimeters.
"This is an isolated incident," said Berlin's city nature expert, Derk Ehlert, to the German Press Agency. "With more than 430,000 street trees and an innumerable amount of park trees, private property trees, and forest trees, we have a very small number of such events." Ehlert lamented the incident but said, "It can happen."
Regular inspections are conducted by the district administrations to ensure the stability of trees in public parks and on streets. "However, you cannot predict every single situation. Suppose a fungus quickly penetrates the roots and trunk, making the tree unstable. This could lead to the tree no longer being safe. 'There is no absolute safety,' said Ehlert. Despite the incident, trees are crucial in the city to create a pleasant urban climate.
The Mauerpark, which used to be the border between Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding and now a major tourist attraction, hosts the city's largest flea market every Sunday. It's a popular gathering spot that attracts tourists from around the world, featuring open-air karaoke, street artists, and barbecue parties.
