Mother and Daughters Investigated for Causing Deadly Fire at German Zoo
導言
A 60-year-old woman and her two adult daughters are under investigation for launching paper sky lanterns on New Year's Eve in the vicinity of a zoo in Krefeld,Germany. These lanterns are believed to have caused a blaze at the zoo, which led to the death of more than 30 animals.
本體
The three women immediately surrendered themselves to the police after learning about the fire and the tragic deaths of the zoo animals from the local radio, according to Gerd Hoppmann, head of the Krefeld criminal police. The mother and her two daughters face prosecution for suspected negligent arson and, if convicted, the offenders could face a prison sentence of up to five years, said prosecutor Jens Frobel. Investigators believe the fire started around midnight when one of the flying lanterns apparently landed on the roof of the ape enclosure and set it on fire. The fire caused the death of over 30 animals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Only two chimpanzees lived through the fire. Fortunately, the surviving animals received only slight injuries.The three women, Hoppmann said, had ordered five sky lanterns on the internet and told the authorities they believed the lanterns were legal in Germany. Fireworks are legal in Germany to celebrate New Year's Eve. However, the use of paper sky lanterns is prohibited.
