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Matjesfest in Emden: Minute of silence planned
Photo: Hauke Christian Dittrich / dpa
It was supposed to be a lively celebration after the corona pandemic, but now the mayor of Emden is talking about a "dark shadow of grief".
An 18-year-old employee was fatally injured at the matjes festival in Emden this weekend.
"An 18-year-old employee of an amusement ride got between the ground and the ride when it was running," police said on Sunday.
Accordingly, the woman died shortly after the accident in the hospital.
The police initially did not want to give any further information, citing the ongoing investigation.
Arrangements with the public prosecutor's office are necessary, said a police spokesman.
The ride was dismantled shortly after the accident.
The woman bent over a lost pair of glasses when she was hit by the gondola of the ride, said market master Uwe Hellmann, according to NDR.
Accordingly, the public prosecutor's office in Aurich has started investigations.
No defects found
According to NDR, the ride was a kind of swing boat in which a large, round disc on which the passengers sit swings back and forth.
According to the market master, the trade inspectorate checked the ride after the accident.
Technical defects were not found.
Mayor Tim Kruithoff expressed his "sincere condolences" to the relatives in a statement.
He spoke of a heavy blow for those involved in the matjes days.
With the event, the city commemorates the long tradition of East Frisian herring fishing.
Numerous traditional ships and shanty choirs from Germany and the Netherlands were expected to attend the 31st Emder Matjestage this year.
The festival was supposed to continue until Sunday evening, it had started on Thursday.
As the "Ostfriesen Zeitung" reported, a prayer is planned for the evening.
sep/dpa