A massive fire broke out at a popular Christmas market in Berlin, causing tourists to flee and resulting in two people being hospitalized. The blaze, which occurred in front of the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall), has since been extinguished by emergency services.
Key Takeaways
- A huge fire erupted at a Christmas market in Berlin, leading to the evacuation of tourists.
- Two people were hospitalized with injuries related to the fire.
- The fire consumed two stalls selling festive-themed goods.
- The incident follows recent arrests related to alleged plots against Christmas markets in Germany.
Incident Overview
On Tuesday evening, a massive fire broke out at the Christmas market in front of the Rotes Rathaus in Berlin. Dramatic photos and footage captured the scene, showing large plumes of smoke rising above the market. The fire consumed two stalls that were selling festive-themed goods.
Emergency Response
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, and the fire has since been extinguished. According to reports, two small gas cartridges exploded as firefighters battled the blaze. Two individuals were injured while attempting to extinguish the fire themselves and were subsequently rushed to the hospital.
Context and Background
This incident comes just a week after two teenagers were arrested in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg for allegedly plotting attacks on Christmas markets. The heightened security concerns around Christmas markets in Germany are a result of past incidents, including the 2016 truck attack in Berlin that claimed 12 lives.
Impact on Tourism
Despite the incident, travel experts believe that British tourists are unlikely to cancel their plans to visit European Christmas markets. Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, noted that Christmas markets across Continental Europe have high-security measures in place due to fears of terrorist attacks.
Official Statements
A spokesperson for the Berlin fire department confirmed that the fire at the Christmas market at the Red Town Hall has been extinguished and the site is now under control. Further updates on the incident are expected as investigations continue.
