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Pepper Spray Attack at Augsburg Summer Festival Injures 27; Suspect Held

City officials said on-site first aid in the town-hall patient station eased care and will guide a review of festival security measures.

Overview

  • A dispute at the crowded Augsburger Sommernächte escalated Friday evening when an 18-year-old sprayed pepper spray near a kiosk on Rathausplatz, sending a cloud of irritant through the crowd.
  • Police confirmed 27 people suffered light injuries, four of them emergency medical workers, and one person was taken to hospital after on-site treatment and eye flushing.
  • Officers arrested the 18-year-old at the scene and opened an inquiry for suspected dangerous bodily harm while five other people involved in the original confrontation remain sought.
  • Organizers used the Untere Flez in the town hall for the first time as a central patient-treatment station, which officials and rescuers said helped manage casualties and speed care.
  • Authorities reported the suspect had apparently brought the spray past entry checks, the Fischmarkt area was briefly closed after the attack, and city leaders said security and screening will be reviewed.