At least 19 injured as firework misfires at German fair

At least 19 people were injured in an incident involving fireworks at a fair in Germany's Dusseldorf on Friday night.

Among the injured was at least one child and four people who were seriously injured, the Dusseldorf Fire Department said early on Saturday.

Nearly 80 fire and rescue personnel were called to the scene.

According to the information, one of the fireworks detonated at too low an altitude for unknown reasons during the large fireworks display late on Friday evening.

Police are investigating the cause of the incident but assess it to be an accident.

Organizers of the Largest Fair on the Rhine, or Düsseldorfer Rheinkirmes, ended the festivities early due to the incident.

In a statement, the organizers said they deeply regret the accident. A spokesman said they would now examine whether the tradition of the fair's fireworks will continue next year.

The fair, which has its roots in an annual celebration in honour of the city's patron saint Apollinaris, began on July 11 and is scheduled to run until Sunday.