Seven-year-old girl falls from third floor of apartment block in Halle-Neustadt

Investigators said on Monday there was no evidence of a criminal offense. "Es gibt dafür keine Hinweise, wie die Ermittler am Montag mitteilten", MDR quoted from a police statement. Much therefore points to a tragic accident, even though the exact circumstances continue to be examined.

Meanwhile, the incident in Halle-Neustadt has sparked a debate about the safety of balconies and windows in multi-family buildings. Housing companies and tenants' associations point to existing regulations on fall protection, compliance with which must be checked regularly. Childproof window locks are also often missing in many older buildings.

Reactions from city and politics

According to the city of Halle, the youth welfare office, police, and health authorities are working closely together to support the family's situation. In addition to medical care, the child is also receiving psychological support. The youth welfare office will decide on further steps in consultation with the attending physicians.

Reactions from politicians were initially subdued. Local representatives announced that they would address the issue of fall protection in apartment blocks once the investigation has been completed. Opposition parties, meanwhile, called for an immediate review of safety standards in older apartment blocks in Halle-Neustadt.

Debate over safety in apartment blocks

The case also raises the question of how children can be better protected in densely populated urban districts. Prevention programs run by the city of Halle focus, among other things, on education in daycare centers and schools to raise parents' awareness of hazards in apartments. The effectiveness of such programs is regularly evaluated.

Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident. Should the suspicion of a criminal offense nevertheless be substantiated, the public prosecutor's office will be brought in, it was said. Until then, the seven-year-old injured girl continues to be considered the victim of an accident. The authorities are also asking for restraint in speculation so as not to jeopardize the investigation.