A pepper spray incident at a vocational college in Cologne, Germany, has left at least 20 individuals injured, prompting a significant emergency response. The event unfolded at the Humboldtstraße vocational college around 10:00 local time on December 1, 2023. Initial reports indicated that six people were affected, but that number has since risen as victims experienced respiratory and eye irritation.
Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, with eyewitnesses noting the presence of approximately 17 emergency vehicles and around 40 personnel. Both students and teachers were among those affected, and several victims required hospital treatment. The police are currently investigating the incident, which they believe involved multiple assailants who used pepper spray in hallways before fleeing the premises.
According to a spokesperson for Polizei Köln, witness statements suggest that “several unknown individuals sprayed pepper spray in the hallways at around 10:00 and then fled.” This incident marks the second reported use of pepper spray in an educational institution in Cologne within a month, following another event that resulted in students being hospitalized.
The situation remains fluid as authorities work to identify the suspects involved. Residents and students in the area are advised to remain vigilant as police continue their investigation into this alarming incident. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
