Fireworks accidentally land in audience at Düsseldorf fair, injuring 19

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

At least 19 people were injured, including a child, when a pyrotechnic device exploded into the audience during a traditional fireworks display at the Rheinkirmes festival in Düsseldorf, local authorities said.

According to police and fire services, at least one child was among the injured, and four people were seriously injured, Bild reports.

The accident occurred last night when the fireworks "went off course" and exploded low above the ground.

Eyewitnesses claim that as many as two rockets landed in the audience, and the fire service says that the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, most likely with burns.

One of the festival organizers said that it is possible that the launch pad overturned, causing a ricochet.

At the time of the explosion, a large number of members of the fire service, ambulance and police were already on the scene, who responded immediately.

Witnesses say that visitors also helped, providing first aid.

Despite the incident, the fireworks lasted for several minutes, while thick smoke billowed over the Rhine.

The fair was soon closed, and the organizers announced that they are considering whether the fireworks will remain part of the program in the following years. The police are investigating the cause of the accident.