18 August 2024 , 15:34
578
0
A Ferris wheel at a music festival in Germany has caught fire, leaving around 30 people injured.
Pictures showed the ride in flames at Highfield Festival at Stormthaler Lake, near Leipzig, on Saturday evening, with smoke billowing into the air.
Two gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire around 9pm but the cause of the blaze is not yet known.
"Those affected are receiving treatment and are doing well considering the circumstances," a statement from the festival said.
It added: "We are in close coordination with the fire brigade, the police and the rescue and medical services."
Around 30 people were injured, with 18 currently being treated in hospital.
Festival organisers said four people were injured by the fire and one person sustained injuries from a fall.
According to media reports, among the injured were four police officers.
The two gondolas in flames were completely burned out, and a fire brigade spokesperson said the situation was now under control.
German rapper Ski Aggu was performing when the fire broke out and took to his Instagram afterwards to say he was "dismayed and shocked" by what happened.
He said: "I am absolutely dismayed and shocked by the Ferris wheel fire during my show on the Highfield.
"I was only told in my ear that I should not cancel the show under any circumstances but should first remain in dialogue with you so that there is no mass panic.
"For me, the priority was that the situation did not escalate further, which fortunately also worked.
"Thank you for staying so calm and possibly preventing worse.
"The decisive factor for this was above all the work of the rescue workers, who reacted so quickly and thus prevented the work."
Shortly after 10pm on Saturday, festival organisers said they had closed the Ferris wheel and restarted performances on stage despite what had taken place earlier that night.
They added: "Please continue to look after one another! You are doing a great job. The shows are back in action,".