A deadly fire at a German music festival and the collapse of a concrete bridge in Dresden have left dozens injured and disrupted the city's infrastructure.
A horrific fire erupted on a Ferris wheel at the Highfield Festival near Leipzig, Germany, on Saturday night, causing a partial collapse and injuring dozens of people. According to reports, two cars on the ride burst into flames, sparking panic among the festival-goers.
Dozens of individuals sustained injuries, primarily of a mild nature. However, two people were severely injured and transported to nearby hospitals. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.
Deadly Fires and Bridge Collapse Mar German Festival and City
Officials have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud bangs before the flames ignited, indicating a possible explosion or mechanical failure. The organizers of the festival have expressed shock and sadness over the incident, offering support to those affected.
On Wednesday, a concrete bridge partially collapsed in the eastern German city of Dresden, disrupting a major traffic artery and severing the city's heating system. The collapse occurred at the Carola Bridge, which spans the Elbe River.
Deadly Fires and Bridge Collapse Mar German Festival and City
No injuries were reported, as the last tram had crossed the bridge just 18 minutes prior to the event. The section of the bridge that fell was scheduled for renovation next year, while other parts had recently reopened after months of construction.
Crews were immediately dispatched to secure the area and begin the investigation into the cause of the collapse. Experts suspect that chlorine corrosion, a common issue in concrete bridges built during East Germany's communist era, may have contributed to the failure.
**Fire Department Spokesman: "Hot Water Supply Completely at Standstill"*
The partial collapse of the Carola Bridge has had a significant impact on Dresden's infrastructure. The closure of the bridge has disrupted traffic flow for trams, vehicles, and pedestrians, and has halted boat traffic.
Adding to the city's woes, pipes carrying hot water were damaged in the collapse, leading to a complete disruption of the hot water supply for the entire city. Fire department spokesman Michael Klahre expressed concern over the scope of the outage, stating that Dresden's residents are now facing a complete lack of hot water.
Officials are actively working to restore the heating system and reopen the bridge. In the meantime, the city has established alternative heating arrangements and is urging residents to exercise caution and stay informed about developments.
