Actually, people just wanted to watch the big fireworks at the Rheinkirmes.

Nineteen people were injured in an accident involving a firework at the Rheinkirmes fair in Düsseldorf. At least one child was among them, and four of them were seriously injured, a police spokesperson said last night. According to reports, one of the fireworks during the large fireworks display late Friday evening detonated at too low a height for unknown reasons. Police believe it was an accident.

Following the accident, the organizers ended the festival early for the day at around 10:45 p.m. The fair was supposed to remain open until the early morning hours. A statement said they deeply regretted the accident. A spokesperson explained that they now have to "review whether the tradition of the fair fireworks display will be continued next year."

The fire department and emergency services responded to the scene with approximately 80 emergency personnel. The operation lasted approximately two hours. The last patient was taken to the hospital about an hour after the incident, according to the fire department. According to a spokesperson, only some of the injured were taken to hospitals.

The fair began a week ago and runs until this Sunday. Organizers caused a stir with their announcement of Germany's largest drone show: The approximately 20-minute show, accompanied by music, featured 1,000 drones with their small lights forming giant sculptures in the evening sky. It took place on the first Saturday of the festival and again on Friday evening. The traditional fireworks display followed immediately afterward.

With the Rheinkirmes, the over 700-year-old St. Sebastianus Rifle Club celebrates the name day of its patron saint, St. Apollinaris (July 23). Over the ten days of the fair, more than 300 showmen present their rides and marquees on the approximately 165,000 square meter festival grounds on the left bank of the Rhine, directly opposite Düsseldorf's Old Town.