Ferris Wheel Catches Fire at German Summer Music Festival, Injures Over 30 People

A Ferris wheel caught fire during the Highfield Festival at Stormthaler Lake, Germany, resulting in injuries to at least thirty people, including four police officers. The incident occurred at around 9:13 PM in one of the gondolas and quickly spread to another, terrifying the people on the ride.

Videos from the festival captured the Ferris wheel continuing to spin even as the two gondolas became engulfed in flames. Thick, black smoke filled the night sky, and panicked screams could be heard from the crowd below.

The ride's operators halted the Ferris wheel and reversed its direction, positioning the burning gondolas closer to the top of the wheel. Witnesses described the intensity of the fire, noting that "it blazed white at its center."

According to reports, the 30 injured individuals suffered mild cases of smoke inhalation, though two people were seriously hurt. German rapper Ski Aggu, who was performing on stage when the fire broke out, was instructed to continue his performance to prevent "mass panic." "I was just told through my earpiece that I should not end the show under any circumstances," the rapper shared on Instagram.

Firefighters successfully tipped the two gondolas upside down to prevent the flames from spreading further. "We currently know that there are over 30 injured people, including four injured police officers, but all of them are probably slightly injured," police spokeswoman Josephin Sader informed the tabloid BILD.

The fire, attributed to a technical issue with the Ferris wheel, has since been extinguished, leaving the two gondolas completely destroyed. The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place at such large-scale events.