Overview
- The Rheinkirmes officially opened on Friday with large crowds on the Oberkasseler Rheinwiesen while two new attractions faced problems: the 'Invader' remained offline at the opening and the 'Oracle' failed its TÜV final inspection.
- Low Rhine water levels forced Rheinbahn to postpone the planned kirmes ferry between the Altstadt and the festival ground, with the operator saying service should be possible early next week once water permits.
- Düsseldorf firefighters ran their annual heights-rescue drill the day before opening and treated a visitor with circulatory problems during the exercise, and the city will station about 200 emergency personnel on the festival site daily.
- Organisers implemented a stricter fireworks containment plan after last year’s accident by placing launch ramps in muldencontainers with more than 2 metre sidewalls and fixing them with sand to reduce flying debris.
- Nearby Essen opened its 53rd Sommerfest at the Grugahalle with more than 100 Schausteller and a large flea market, and meteorologists warned of a higher risk of strong evening thunderstorms that could temporarily suspend high-altitude rides.