The worst disasters in the GDR - Only the Stasi knows the truth
Major fires, a train accident, a bridge collapse. ZDFinfo is dedicated to a little-noticed topic in GDR history: How did such accidents occur and how were they dealt with? Using eyewitness accounts, archive material and private film footage, the documentary provides a new look at the often secret or covered-up facts. Historians and technical experts describe the investigations of the time following serious accidents. In the GDR, major disasters were hardly ever reported in the media. The true background was kept secret and the State Security was always present at the scene of the accident. It investigated with its own personnel, covered things up + also instigated trials against politically unpopular people, such as the bridge designer Gisbert Rother.
On the anniversary of the Wall's construction on 13 August 1973, of all days, a section of his bridge under construction in Zeulenroda collapsed. Four construction workers lost their lives. The MfS already had the chief designer in its sights because of his "politically negative attitude". Although Gisbert Rother was innocent of the collapse, the Stasi instigated a show trial against him. But this had unexpected consequences. The ailing GDR economy was often the cause of an accident. This was the case in February 1979, when explosive vapours from a worn-out system at the Riesa oil plant caused an explosion. Eleven people died and 51 were injured, some of them seriously. In addition to the fire brigade, a poorly equipped NVA squad tried to rescue survivors from the rubble with their bare hands.
The MfS meticulously investigated the cause of the explosion + revealed the failure of the state-controlled economy. But because this was not allowed to happen, innocent people were eventually convicted. Fear of repression and heavy fog led to a serious rail disaster on 29 February 1984. At Hohenthurm station, the transit train D354 to Saarbrücken ran into a stationary "Schichterzug". Transit trains were not allowed to travel slowly or stop due to possible "Republikflucht" in the GDR. The train driver overlooked a red signal in the dense fog. The images of the disfigured victims haunt the rescue services to this day. The MfS tried to shield the scene of the accident, but was unable to prevent reports in the Western media. In June 1986, a major fire led to the most dangerous fire brigade operation in the GDR.
Highly flammable plastic went up in flames in the Leipzig wool combing plant. Two workers could only be rescued dead. The operation also turned into an unprecedented disaster for the emergency services: 26 firefighters collapsed, 45 were taken to A&E. Toxic gases and the intense heat also frightened and terrified the emergency services that followed. The MfS quickly investigated the arsonist. But why so many firefighters had to turn out remained a secret + still puzzles those affected today.
Broadcasting on 03rd of January 2024 at 03.15pm on ZDF Info/ ZDF
Music: POPVIRUS Library.