Since Thursday, the revelers in the Rhineland have been celebrating carnival - with plenty of alcohol, swaying and Bützchen. The kiss, however, has to happen by mutual agreement, not like in Menden. There, a woman is sexually harassed in front of a party tent. In addition, there is a tumult among hundreds of people waiting.
The police went out in large numbers to a carnival party in Menden in Sauerland on Saturday evening because too many people crowded into the marquee at the same time. Police spokesman Marcel Dilling said the people waiting pushed the guests in front of them further and further. Three people had to be treated for circulatory problems. There were no other injuries.
A woman was also sexually assaulted in the queue in front of the tent. The suspect received a eviction. The victim testified that a man had kissed her and that a stranger had grabbed her under the skirt. The alleged attack happened when around 1,000 people were standing in front of the tent waiting to be admitted. The tent was already fully booked at the time with around 1,000 guests, said the police spokesman.
The police have requested reinforcements from neighboring towns and asked the waiting people to leave. "We are on site with strong forces and have everything here that is available," said the police spokesman. "Thank God we were on site very quickly and were able to quickly de-escalate and stabilize the situation." The party in the tent was not over.
A reporter from the "Westfalenpost" reported a "great atmosphere" in the tent. People would party "like there's no tomorrow". Accordingly, there were people in front of the tent for a long time who were hoping to be admitted. However, the clear message from the police was that this would not happen. Nobody should make their way to the party tent anymore. The city of Menden also referred to this on social networks.
After a corona-related abstinence, the carnival is back. The "fifth season" began on Thursday in the Rhenish carnival strongholds with the women's carnival. For the first time in three years, the carnivalists can celebrate again without restrictions.
