In a tragic incident in Berlin’s Niederschöneweide district, a five-year-old boy lost his life when a heavy glass terrace door fell on him at the “Adlerküken” daycare center. The horrific accident, which shocked parents, children, and educators, occurred on Monday morning around 11 o’clock.
Emergency services were promptly dispatched, with eleven firefighters rushing to the scene, where they found the door had detached from its hinges and collapsed inward onto the child. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by paramedics, the boy could not be saved.
The scene quickly escalated as police cordoned off the area, sealing off the entrance with tape and securing the damaged door with wooden panels. Two helicopters were also deployed to assist, and a crisis intervention team arrived to support traumatized children, staff, and parents affected by the incident.
The Berlin police have initiated a death investigation to determine whether the accident was due to a technical malfunction of the door or if it was improperly opened. Investigators from the criminal police are gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to this unfortunate event.
In a heartfelt message on their website, staff members at the daycare expressed their profound sorrow over the tragedy: “We are shocked, deeply saddened, and are dedicated to a thorough investigation of this accident. Our thoughts are with the family and all the loved ones of the child, and we extend our heartfelt condolences. We also wish endless strength to our colleagues and the entire daycare community during this difficult time.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in places where children gather, and the community is left to grapple with the heartbreaking aftermath of this unexpected loss.