It’s hot again in the capital – and again people are violently clashing in the outdoor pool. Eleven people are injured in the Neukölln Columbiabad, security staff flee to a watchtower. What do the Berlin baths companies say?

Eleven people were injured in a violent clash in the Columbiabad in Berlin-Neukölln. A group of bathers targeted security forces with tear gas and striking tools and also injured other bathers, the police said on Wednesday. Three men, aged 19, 23 and 24, have been arrested following Tuesday night’s incident.

The conflict is said to have erupted after the men in a group of up to 12 people were expelled from the pool for a fight. Some had returned and, according to witness statements, specifically attacked employees of the security service in the outdoor pool, the police reported. They would have sprayed tear gas, some carried clubs. According to the police, three members of the security service fled in front of them into a lookout tower and locked the door, whereupon the attackers tried to break down the door. When the police arrived, they fled in different directions.

Six bathers injured

According to the Berlin police, among the eleven injured between the ages of 15 and 49, six bathers, four security staff and one rescue worker were injured as a result of the use of irritant gas. They complained of eye irritation and respiratory problems. Two men also said they had been punched in the face. Three of the bathers came to a hospital for further treatment, the other injured were treated on site as an outpatient.

According to the police, three of the suspects were then picked up in a car near the bath and arrested. A baton, a baseball bat and a knife were found in the car. The items were confiscated, and a breath alcohol test revealed 0 per thousand. The three men were taken into police custody and processed there, but later released. Investigations into particularly serious breaches of the peace are ongoing.

Brawls in bathrooms in Berlin – the operator of the pool is dismayed

Only recently there had been a similar incident in the same outdoor pool: a few weeks ago, 250 people were involved in an argument after a dispute about spraying with water pistols. The weekend before, spraying with water pistols in a summer pool in the Steglitz district had also resulted in a fight between around a hundred people.

The chairman of the board of directors of the Berliner Bäder-Betriebe was dismayed. “Yesterday, the clashes in the summer swimming pool in Neukölln reached an extent that we have never known before,” said Johannes Kleinsorg on Wednesday, according to the announcement. “We are deeply saddened by this violence. We wish all those who have been injured a speedy and full recovery.”

One is very grateful for the commitment of the police, who want to support the baths in securing operations. In addition, Kleinsorg announced that the use of security specialists at the outdoor pools should be increased again. The deployment of more security guards had already been announced at the end of June. At that time, there were already 172 security guards in eleven outdoor pools.

Despite the incident on Tuesday evening, the employees of the pool and the security forces made sure that the Columbiabad was able to open again directly on Wednesday – they also deserve a lot of thanks, says Kleinsorg.