Berlin Defends New Year's Fireworks Despite Injury Calls

Berlin is resisting calls to ban private fireworks, putting its festive reputation ahead of safety concerns. Every New Year's Eve, hundreds of people in Germany are injured by private fireworks. Police unions and doctors' associations say the only solution is a complete ban on public use of pyrotechnics, which are explosive devices like firecrackers and rockets. They argue the injuries overwhelm emergency services and cause unnecessary harm. However, officials in the capital city are defending the tradition. Berlin cites its libertarian spirit and its famous New Year's celebrations as reasons to keep fireworks legal for individuals. The city is known for large, informal street parties. This puts Berlin at odds with safety advocates who prioritize preventing injuries over preserving the unchecked tradition.