Around 20 people stuck in chain carousel at Hamburger Dom

Rescue operation with turntable ladders

According to initial reports, no one was seriously injured in the incident. Emergency medical personnel took care of the people brought down from the gondolas as a precaution; individual passengers received outpatient treatment. The rescue operation got underway after midnight, when the rest of the fair operations at the Sommerdom had already ended.

The organizers immediately canceled operations of the affected chain carousel. The responsible supervisory authority as well as TÜV were brought in to inspect the ride and determine the cause of the malfunction. The ride remains closed until the investigations are completed.

The Sommerdom, a large fair with rides, stalls and showman's businesses held three times a year on the Heiligengeistfeld, is one of the largest folk festivals in northern Germany. On the night of Tuesday, official operations ended on schedule at midnight.

TÜV takes over the investigation into the cause

According to their own statements, the fire department and the Red Cross had already ordered reinforcements to the fairgrounds beforehand because, in parallel with the rescue operation at the carousel, onlookers were heading to the area around the Heiligengeistfeld. Police cordoned off the immediate area around the stopped ride on a large scale.

After the last passengers were rescued in the early morning hours, the scene was handed over to the police. Evidence on the undercarriage and electrical system of the carousel was secured to allow conclusions to be drawn about the technical defect.

The Hamburg police announced that they would continue to process the matter and take further steps if necessary as soon as the TÜV's expert report is available. The Sommerdom runs until the end of August; whether the affected carousel can resume operation during this time remained unclear in the morning.