Dead and two seriously injured after firework accidents on New Year’s Eve
Published: Monday, Jan 1st 2024, 17:20
Updated At: Tuesday, Jan 2nd 2024, 00:59
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Numerous incidents involving fireworks and a number of fires kept the emergency services on their toes on New Year's Eve in Switzerland. In the canton of Lucerne, a man died in a fireworks accident. In Zurich and Aargau, two people were seriously injured.
As the Lucerne police announced on New Year's Day, the fatal accident occurred in Schenkon LU. A 46-year-old man died there in an accident involving a device he had presumably made himself to launch firecrackers. The man died at the scene of the accident.
A 41-year-old man was seriously injured after setting off fireworks in Dottikon AG. In Hochfelden ZH, two teenagers were handling a firework that suddenly went off. A 16-year-old was seriously injured in the head and another of the same age suffered injuries to his hands.
Mischief and accidents with fireworks
Several police forces reported on New Year's Day that they had had to respond to accidents or accidents involving fireworks. However, a number of police forces also reported that New Year's Eve passed off without any major problems or accidents.
The St. Gallen cantonal police, for example, wrote that it had a "comparatively quiet New Year's Eve". According to the organizers, 100,000 people watched the big fireworks display at the "New Year's Eve Magic" on the Zurich lake basin.
Gondola lift evacuated
A gondola lift in the Valais ski resort of Verbier had to be temporarily evacuated due to a fire. According to the police, unknown persons had fired fireworks from a cabin and started a bush fire.
Presumably a burning Christmas tree made an attic apartment in an apartment building in Reinach BL uninhabitable. The residents were rescued by the fire department from the terrace of their apartment.
More than two dozen smaller fires in the city and canton of Zurich required the intervention of the fire department and police. Fireworks caused fires on balconies and in a cellar in several apartment buildings and a retirement home. One person received medical treatment from the emergency services.
The Nez Rouge ride home service drove 5,400 people home safely on New Year's Eve. Almost 1,200 volunteers were on duty and carried out 2,200 journeys, as Nez Rouge announced on Monday. This made New Year's Eve a record night. A year ago, the volunteer drivers had driven 4300 people on New Year's Eve.
Amherd appeals for responsibility
In her New Year's address, the new President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd appealed for shared responsibility and the will to shape the future. "Our democracy is based on this idea," said Amherd. Much has been achieved together; that is Switzerland's strength.
On January 1, Amherd replaced Alain Berset, who not only relinquished the presidency of the Swiss Confederation, but also resigned from the national government.
Numerous innovations
As always, several changes to the law and other innovations came into force in Switzerland on New Year's Day. For example, the new VAT rate is 8.1 percent instead of 7.7 percent. A and B Mail letters will each cost 10 centimes more, and Priority and Economy parcels will cost CHF 1.50 more in future.
Large internationally active companies will be taxed in Switzerland at a rate of at least 15 percent from the 2024 tax year. The first part of the AHV revision comes into force. Partial early withdrawal or partial deferral of the pension will be possible for everyone, allowing a gradual reduction in gainful employment.
Electric cars are now subject to the automobile tax. The authorities are given more options for monitoring internet and telephone data. For example, a new type of information makes it possible to trace calls from anonymous bomb threats.
Some New Year's babies
Babies were born in several hospitals in Switzerland in the early hours of New Year's Day. Switzerland's first New Year's baby was born at Basel University Hospital just 27 minutes after midnight. The girl's name is India Miranda.
The Lucerne Cantonal Hospital announced the birth of Gianna Malu at 02.22 in the night. At 03.27 a.m., Johanna was born at the hospital in Sion, at 04.03 a.m., Thea was born at the Triemli Hospital in Zurich and at 05.30 a.m., Livia was born in Payerne VD.
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