Homeless Man Assaulted and Thrown into Spree River by Group

In a troubling incident that occurred in the Friedrichshain district of Berlin, a 42-year-old homeless man was forcibly thrown into the Spree River by a group of at least four unidentified individuals late Friday night. Authorities reported that the incident took place around midnight, as the man was resting in a park near Mühlenstraße.

Witnesses indicated that the group approached the victim and began to physically assault him before dragging him towards the riverbank. Following the assault, the attackers allegedly pushed him into the water. Fortunately, other bystanders intervened and assisted the man out of the river.

After regaining his composure, the victim sought help at the Bundespolizei station located at Ostbahnhof, where he reported the incident. Emergency medical personnel provided him with necessary treatment for his injuries.

The local criminal police have taken over the investigation, actively pursuing leads to identify the assailants. This incident comes against a backdrop of rising violence against homeless individuals in Berlin. Recent statistics revealed that in 2024, there were 506 reported violent crimes against the homeless, marking an increase of 61 incidents compared to the previous year.

The growing number of attacks raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations within the city. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding this incident or other similar assaults to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation.