BERLIN, GERMANY — A Palestinian influencer is under investigation in Germany after a viral video showed him launching a firework into a child’s bedroom window, setting the room on fire. The incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, has sparked public outrage and led to the influencer’s arrest at the airport while attempting to leave the country.
Firework Ignites Blaze Inside Apartment
The shocking footage shows 24-year-old Atallah Younes lighting a firework and directing it toward a residential building in the Neukölln neighborhood of Berlin. The firework pierced a closed third-floor window and exploded inside a child’s bedroom, igniting a fire that damaged furniture and the carpet. Fortunately, no one was injured during the blast.
Local authorities confirmed that the explosion triggered a small fire that was quickly extinguished. However, the reckless nature of the act prompted swift legal action from Berlin police.
Attempted Escape Foiled at the Airport
Younes was arrested at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport on Saturday, just hours before his scheduled 5:00 p.m. flight to Jordan. According to Berlin police, he is being investigated for serious arson related to the New Year’s Eve incident. Officials confirmed the arrest and stated that the viral video was key in identifying him as the suspect.
The influencer later claimed he had no intent to cause harm. Speaking only Arabic, Younes told local media that he had merely wanted to celebrate and did not anticipate the firework would cause such danger. “I just wanted to celebrate. I didn’t know it was so dangerous,” he said in an interview quoted by BILD. “I went to sleep, and the next day I saw that the video had 10 million views.”
Apology Video Sparks Further Criticism
In an apparent attempt to do damage control, Younes posted an apology video alongside the building’s owner before his arrest. In it, he expressed regret for the incident, claiming he did not mean to hurt anyone. The apology, however, failed to appease viewers. The video’s comment section was flooded with criticism, with many users calling the act reckless and irresponsible.
Younes also claimed that the backlash he received was fueled in part by racism, alleging he had become a target of online hate because of his Palestinian background.
Known for Comedy and Travel Content
Atallah Younes has built a sizable social media following, boasting over 300,000 Instagram followers. His content mainly features comedic reels and travel vlogs. The incident has prompted renewed debate about influencer accountability, especially when content veers into illegal or dangerous territory.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and Younes could face serious criminal charges under German law.
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