Overview
- Two 18-year-olds in Bielefeld died on New Year’s after explosions of self-made devices, according to police reports.
- The sister of one victim, Elora, released an Instagram video and began fundraising for an adventure playground in Bielefeld-Baumheide to support youth and prevention efforts.
- In Dortmund, a ten-year-old suffered severe hand, facial and abdominal injuries after a teenager handed him a lit böller that detonated in his hands, and police opened a dangerous bodily harm case.
- Initial inquiries in the Dortmund case indicate a 14-year-old local as the suspected perpetrator, while a nine-year-old companion of the victim was also checked at a hospital.
- Authorities stress that consumer fireworks are only permitted Dec 31–Jan 1, urge avoidance of duds by waiting and dousing with water, and warn against self-made or unauthorized imports lacking BAM approval.