Thirteen injured in major high-rise fire in Berlin

On Friday morning, August 15, 2026, a fire broke out in a 21-story residential building in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, near the Ostbahnhof railway station. The blaze began in an apartment on the 11th floor and spread to the 12th floor, forcing the evacuation of the entire structure. More than 130 firefighters were deployed to contain the fire, which caused injuries to 13 people.

During the emergency, a dramatic rescue occurred when a woman, trapped by smoke and flames, was forced to jump from an 11th-floor window. She successfully landed in a rescue basket held by a firefighter, as the standard ladder could only reach the 9th floor. While early reports from Cyprus Times indicated five injuries, later updates confirmed that the total number of casualties reached 13. Authorities successfully evacuated the building, though the exact cause of the woman's entrapment remains under investigation. Fire crews managed to gain control over the blaze after extensive efforts, and the area remains secured while officials assess the damage.