Attacks on police and arrests in Germany as nation rings in 2026

Germany’s celebration of the turn of the year was largely peaceful compared to previous years, although there were isolated deaths, injuries and revellers in some places threw fireworks at police officers and first responders.

Additional police were on duty in many places, with concerns about rowdiness in several cities, including Berlin, following attacks on emergency services on New Year’s Eve in previous years.

In Berlin alone, there were more than 400 arrests by 1 am on Thursday (0000 GMT). In the eastern city of Leipzig, where riots broke out in previous years, police and first responders were attacked with fireworks.

In the western city of Bielefeld, two 18-year-old men died after suffering fatal facial injuries in separate accidents involving homemade fireworks.

Berlin welcomed 2026 with a seven-and-a-half-minute fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and countless private fireworks. The capital’s traditional New Year’s Eve party featuring live performances was cancelled after the city government said it would no longer fund it, and was replaced with a DJ party at the Berlin landmark.

Meanwhile in Hamburg, thousands of people welcomed in 2026 at public broadcaster ZDF’s New Year’s Eve show in rainy weather. For the first time, the “Silvester in Concert” show did not take place in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin but on a floating stage on the Elbe in front of the Westfield shopping centre.

At midnight, there was a spectacular fireworks display, which was set off by tugs behind the stage.

In Hamburg, organizers said that around 10,000 people celebrated the arrival of 2026 at a large New Year’s Eve party on Ludwigstraße. Everything was very peaceful, said Katrin Strauch from event agency Gral. “There were no incidents, nothing at all.”

Those who welcomed the New Year outside were best advised to dress warmly. In parts of Germany, the German Weather Service advised caution due to snow and slippery conditions. In the north, it was expected to become increasingly stormy on Thursday morning.

Berlin New Year’s celebrations calmer than in past

Berlin Police spokesman Florian Nath told dpa in a preliminary assessment that, as of 3 am, police had “no reports of serious injuries among our colleagues or among revellers. Nor did we have any serious incidents or property damage like last year.”

Police officers were however attacked with fireworks, 21 of them suffering minor injuries.

The police were partially successful in countering the dynamics of criminal perpetrators who moved among the crowd of peaceful revellers. The concept of a large firework-free zone worked particularly well at Alexanderplatz.

The demonstration and party at the Victory Column were peaceful. Instead of the 16,000 participants who had registered, only a few hundred showed up, according to the spokesperson. The celebration at the Brandenburg Gate, which attracted many thousands of visitors, also passed without incident.

Police in Leipzig attacked with fireworks

In Leipzig, police and emergency services were attacked with fireworks, according to a police spokesperson. Among other measures, the police erected barriers in the Connewitz district, which is known for riots.

However, the incidents and fires in Leipzig were not limited to the known areas; there were also several fires in Leipzig city centre, where rubbish bins were set alight.

In recent years, there have been regular riots in Leipzig on New Year’s Eve. Even before the turn of the year, police warned that it was not only the Connewitz district that could be affected.

Fire brigades constantly at work

There were also incidents in Hamburg during the night: according to police, passers-by and emergency services were pelted with fireworks in the Steilshoop district. No injuries were initially reported. Suspected perpetrators were identified, but it was initially unclear whether they had been arrested.

Fire brigades are also in constant action: fires were reported in several federal states during the night. Roof trusses were on fire, as were rubbish bins, hedges and cars. An initial assessment was not expected until New Year’s Day.

Discussion of firework ban

This year, as in the past, many groups, from health professionals to environmentalists, called for a ban on fireworks in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.

Doctors’ representatives, police officers and animal rights activists all suggested a general ban on the use of private firecrackers and rockets due to the number of injuries caused.