Mulled wine tank explodes in Germany

A pressurised tank containing mulled wine exploded last weekend at a Christmas market in Germany, showering debris on 50 people and injuring nine, German police said.

The liquid was in a stainless steel tank at the market in the northern city of Osnabrueck. The tank first deformed and then ruptured. A wooden counter above it was shattered by the blast. The nine injured were treated at a hospital for bruises, cuts and trauma as a result of the explosion.

Made with red wine, cinnamon, cloves, aniseed and lemon juice, mulled wine is a traditional drink to ward off the freezing winter temperatures at Christmas markets.