An 18-year-old man sustained serious injuries when a firecracker exploded while he tried to throw it from a car window. The incident occurred Sunday near a McDonald's in Nykøbing on the island of Mors in northern Denmark.
Emergency services airlifted the teenager to a hospital via medical helicopter. Local police in Thisted now warn about dangerous illegal fireworks circulating in the area.
Henrik Jensen from Thisted Police said in a statement that the fireworks may be defective. This makes them extraordinarily dangerous, he explained.
Preliminary investigations indicate the firecrackers are illegal types similar to those shown in police photographs. The fireworks lack required warning labels and usage instructions, creating additional safety risks.
Police also found potential defects in the fuses. These flaws could cause the fireworks to burn down unnaturally fast.
Authorities cannot confirm whether this involves a single firecracker or an entire batch. They urge citizens to avoid any suspicious fireworks and contact police at 114 if spotted.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of illegal pyrotechnics in Scandinavia, where strict fireworks regulations contrast with persistent black market activity. The timing raises concerns as Denmark approaches its traditional New Year's Eve celebrations, when fireworks use peaks.