In Berlin's New Year's Eve night, police made more than 300 temporary arrests for dangerous fireworks and rocket firing. There were attacks on emergency services using pyrotechnics, injuring several officers lightly. The celebrations overall proceeded more calmly than in previous years.
Berlin police reported more than 300 short-term arrests shortly after 1:00 AM during the New Year's Eve night into 2026. Most cases involved the misuse of fireworks, such as dangerous rocket firing or throwing bangers. Already on New Year's Eve evening before midnight, over 100 people had been detained, mainly for violations of explosives regulations.
In districts like Neukölln, particularly on Hermannstraße, and in Moabit, people threw and shot fireworks rockets and bangers at police and paramedics, said police spokesman Florian Nath. Further attacks occurred during the arrests of suspects. Seven individuals were placed in preventive custody to prevent additional offenses.
About 15 officers sustained light injuries, many from bang traumas due to explosions near their heads. In Spandau, one person was lightly injured by a globe bomb explosion. Police had confiscated 220,000 illegal or unauthorized pyrotechnic items by evening, including dangerous category F4 globe bombs, as reported by Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD).
With a large deployment of 4,300 officers and 1,600 firefighters, police secured the celebrations. Alexanderplatz remained calm as fireworks were banned and the area cordoned off there. Compared to previous years, the evening developed more positively, without major riots. The incidents highlight the ongoing debate about a fireworks ban in Germany.
