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Tree Fall At Northern Germany Easter Egg Hunt Kills Three, Including Infant

Investigators are examining if storm gusts or poor tree condition caused the collapse.

Overview

  • A 30‑metre oak uprooted during Sunday's egg hunt in a woodland near Satrupholm in Mittelangeln and fell on a group from a nearby family support home.
  • Four people were trapped under the tree as it fell, killing a 16‑year‑old, a 21‑year‑old mother, and her 10‑month‑old baby while an 18‑year‑old suffered serious injuries.
  • About 80 firefighters and medics responded, airlifting the baby to a hospital in Kiel and the 18‑year‑old to Heide, while others with minor injuries received on‑site care and counseling support.
  • Police opened an involuntary manslaughter inquiry to assess whether weather, disease in the tree, or maintenance failures led to the fall.
  • The German weather service had posted wind alerts with gusts of 55 to 75 km/h and up to 90 km/h in exposed spots, which police say likely triggered the collapse.