Official statement from Atallah Younes on social media or news outlets

Influencer Atallah Younes Sparks Outrage After Launching Firework Into Berlin Child's Bedroom, No Injuries Reported

Jan 4, 2025, 09:35 AM

Atallah Younes, a 24-year-old influencer from Nablus in the West Bank with over 310,000 followers on Instagram, has sparked outrage after posting a video showing him launching a firework into an apartment building in Berlin's Neukölln district on New Year's Eve. The rocket flew through an open window and exploded inside a child's bedroom, though no one was injured. The residents were able to quickly extinguish the fire, resulting in minor property damage. Younes, who was on his first visit to Germany, deleted the video following widespread criticism. He initially apologized to the property owner but later expressed confusion over the police investigation, claiming he was unaware of how fireworks work and suggesting he experienced racism as a result of the incident. Younes, who holds Jordanian and Palestinian passports and studied Public Relations at An-Najah National University, was in Germany as a tourist. The Berlin police are investigating the case on suspicion of attempted aggravated arson. Younes has since left the country, stating it was his first and possibly last visit due to perceived racism.