The German government has condemned incidents on New Year’s Eve in which police officers and firefighters were attacked and injured, mostly with fireworks.

A largely peaceful New Year's Eve turned chaotic as fireworks killed five in several incidents across Germany, where hundreds also were arrested for rioting in Berlin and other cities.

Another New Year's Eve marked by scores of injuries and five deaths from fireworks explosions across Germany has renewed debate about stricter rules on fireworks or a possible nationwide ban. Even though this year's celebrations were deemed largely peaceful,

Five people died across Germany and a police officer was seriously injured from accidents linked to the powerful fireworks Germans traditionally set off to celebrate the new year, police said