Fire department operation
Ghost train burns in East Frisia – several injured

A ghost train caught fire at the Gallimarkt, East Frisia’s largest folk festival. Five people were injured. (archive image) photo
© Lars Penning/dpa
For East Frisia, the Gallimarkt is considered the fifth season, and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in the city of Leer. Suddenly there is a fire at the festival.
When a ghost train burns down at the largest folk festival At least five people in East Frisia suffered injuries. Four employees suffered smoke inhalation and one person suffered shock, a police spokesman said. There were no other injuries. The incident occurred at the Gallimarkt in Leer.
According to the information, the ghost train caught fire for an initially unknown reason, but the fire was quickly extinguished. The extent of the damage is also still unclear. The cause of the fire is now being determined, the spokesman said. The market was very well attended because of the sunny weather. According to previous information, the city was expecting around half a million visitors to the festival.
During the festival, 19 large rides and around 250 market stalls are spread throughout the city center. The Gallimarkt, once a cattle market, dates back to 1508, when Count Edzard I granted market rights to what was then the town of Leer. The cattle market is still part of the folk festival today.