More than 1,000 visitors to the Miniatur Wunderland tourist attraction, which is home to what is believed to be the world’s largest model railway, had to be evacuated. It was unclear who was behind the suspected attack.
The building in downtown Hamburg had to be evacuated [FILE: May 27, 2021]Image: Jonas Walzberg/dpa/picture alliance
Tear gas was released at one of Hamburg’s most popular tourist attractions on Saturday, the city’s fire department officials said.
In a statement, the Hamburg Fire Department said it had responded to an alert at Miniatur Wunderland, “where several visitors complained of eye and respiratory irritation.”
After arriving at the scene, firefighters detected “an irritant gas leak” and “immediately” ordered the more than 1,000 visitors in the building to be evacuated.
What do we know about the incident?
Forty-six people were treated at the scene, the fire department said. One person was brought to a nearby hospital.
Visitors were allowed to return about half an hour later after firefighters ventilated the building.
It is unknown who is behind the leak, although a police spokesman said a used canister was found at the scene, according to dpa news agency.
Police have taken over the investigation, the fire department stated added.
Where did the incident take place?
The model railway at Miniatur Wunderland covers more than 1,600 square meters (17,222 square feet) and has a track that is around 17,000 meters (10.5 miles) long.
Miniatur Wunderland, in Hamburg’s city center, was started in 2001 by brothers Gerrit and Frederik Braun.
Almost 1.6 million people from all over the world visited last year.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/tear-gas-attack-at-hamburgs-miniatur-wunderland-injures-46/a-72230286
