The German police have launched an investigation into a car meeting involving approximately 2,000 drivers last night in Aachen, near the border with Heerlen. The event included not only German but also Dutch and Belgian participants.
A police car was damaged with fireworks during the incident. The participants arrived in their often modified vehicles, blocking streets and causing dangerous traffic situations, the police reported today.
Attempts by officers to intervene led to the situation escalating. The police faced fireworks attacks, and the windows of a police vehicle were shattered by fireworks as well.
“The participants behaved increasingly defiantly and recklessly. Some groups acted very aggressively and threateningly,” said a police spokesperson.
According to German media, there were no injuries. The gathering was ended by midnight, and the police regained control of the situation.
A criminal investigation is underway into various offenses, including dangerous driving, assaulting officers, and violations of the German explosives law. The event’s organizers, Zollvereintreff, expressed disappointment on Instagram over the escalation.
“We are deeply disappointed by the behavior of some individuals, some of whom joined us from other groups and even from abroad. Such aggressors have nothing to do with us and the tuning scene.” Last night, a similar illegal event took place in Münster, with hundreds of cars, some decorated with Christmas lights, gathering in a furniture store parking lot.
Significant police presence was deployed there as well; however, that gathering remained mostly peaceful.
Source: NOS