Death at the Christmas market: investigation into fatal ride accident!

On December 18, 2024, a serious industrial accident occurred at the Christmas market in Berlin-Lichtenberg, in which a 20-year-old employee of a ride was fatally injured. The young man was in charge of a swing ride and came into the swinging range of the pendulum. He was hit in the back of the head and thrown to the ground, causing serious injuries.

The emergency services were immediately alerted and the injured man was taken to hospital at around 8:30 p.m. Despite intensive medical care, he died in hospital on Sunday morning, December 22nd. The Berlin police then initiated an investigation into negligent bodily harm resulting in death. Initial investigations indicate a lack of safety precautions on the ride, as there appeared to be no barrier between the work area and the swing area.

Investigations and other incidents

The Berlin State Office for Occupational Safety, Health Protection and Technical Safety was commissioned to inspect the ride. The investigation is also directed against the 46-year-old foreman of the ride. This wasn't the only incident at the Christmas market this week. A technical defect occurred on a Ferris wheel during a test drive on Monday. The locking mechanism of a gondola was affected, but fortunately no passengers were in danger and the trip was stopped until repairs were made.

There was already a fatal accident at the same Christmas market in December 2019, in which an employee of a ride died. The latest incidents once again raise questions about security at the Christmas market in Berlin-Lichtenberg.