Many incidents involving fireworks and several fires on New Year’s Eve
Published: Monday, Jan 1st 2024, 12:50
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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 cantons of Zurich and Aargau, two people were seriously injured while handling fireworks.
On New Year's Day, several cantonal police departments reported that the emergency services had to respond to accidents or accidents involving fireworks. A 41-year-old man in Dottikon AG and a 16-year-old in Hochfelden ZH were seriously injured in the head after setting off fireworks. There, two young people were handling a firework that suddenly went off. The second teenager was injured on his hands.
Several cantonal police forces reported that New Year's Eve passed off without any major problems or accidents. The Geneva and Vaud cantonal police, for example, said on request that they had had an "intense and festive night" - as they do every year. According to the organizers, 100,000 people watched the big fireworks display at the "New Year's Eve Magic" on the shores of Lake Zurich.
Gondola lift evacuated due to fire
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.
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.
©Keystone/SDA
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