VIDEO - Ferris Wheel Fire at Highfield Festival in Leipzig Leaves Over 30 Injured

 Fairgoers watched in horror as a Ferris wheel caught fire at the Highfield Festival in Leipzig, Germany, on Saturday, August 17. The terrifying incident occurred around 9 p.m., with eyewitnesses reporting that some riders were still on the wheel when the blaze began.

A shocking video captured the moment the Ferris wheel's carts were engulfed in flames, producing thick black smoke. More than 30 individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with footage shared on social media showing onlookers helplessly watching as the burning wheel continued to turn, sending sparks flying from its frame.

The Ferris wheel, which appeared to have at least 24 carts, had two that were significantly affected by the fire. Among the injured were four police officers, with two individuals sustaining serious injuries, according to reports by The Sun.

Local police spokesperson Josephine Sader told BILD, "The fire broke out in one gondola for reasons still unknown and then spread to a second one. We currently know that there are over 30 injured people, including four injured police officers, but all of them are probably slightly injured. Two people were seriously injured. There were no fatalities." Many minor injuries were reportedly caused by smoke inhalation.

The popular Highfield Festival attracts around 30,000 visitors annually. As the fire broke out, German rapper Ski Aggu stopped his set early to ensure the safety of attendees. Despite the incident, one of the event organizers stated an hour after the fire began, "The show must go on."

The festival is scheduled to continue as planned today, August 18, while investigations into the cause of the blaze are underway.

Yesterday evening, a Ferris wheel caught fire during the Highfield festival in the #Germany city of #Leipzig. Two booths caught fire at the height of the celebration, when people were there. pic.twitter.com/r55LMVTN5S

— Mina (@Mina696645851) August 17, 2024