Gurudwara in Germany turns into battleground as Sikh groups clash
A violent confrontation involving more than 40 people erupted at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Moers, Germany, sending worshippers fleeing in panic and prompting a major police operation involving tactical officers, a helicopter and nearly 100 personnel. Authorities say one person was taken into custody after reports of gunfire, while investigators continue to examine whether a blank-firing weapon was used during the chaos.
The disturbance broke out at the gurdwara in Moers, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, shortly before a prayer service. Video circulated on social media appeared to show intense disorder inside the religious site, with images suggesting sharp weapons, including knives and kirpans, were used during the confrontation.
A 56-year-old eyewitness described the outbreak of violence to German newspaper Bild. “Shortly before the prayer service, attackers used pepper spray, then one fired a pistol. I also saw knives,” the witness said.
Absolute chaos at the Gurdwara Sahib in Duisburg, Germany. Clashes broke out as reports emerged that the previous management lost the election amid allegations of misusing Gurdwara funds.
People like this are a blot on the community.
📽️: @rsrobin1pic.twitter.com/Ed0VRYsCfr
As panic spread, members of the congregation rushed out of the building. Accounts cited by Neue Ruhr Zeitung described scenes of fear and confusion, with one witness saying, “Several people ran out of the building, some of them barefoot.”
Emergency crews responded at the scene and treated multiple injured people. Reports indicated most of the victims suffered head injuries.
The report of gunshots led to a large-scale response from German law enforcement. Police deployed nearly 100 officers, including a Special Task Force unit from Düsseldorf, while a helicopter assisted from above as authorities secured the area and searched for a suspected shooter.
Although police did not locate an armed gunman, investigators did find cartridge cases at the site. That discovery has raised the possibility that a blank-firing gun was used during the brawl. The weapon itself has not been recovered.
Early findings suggest the violence may have stemmed from a long-standing internal conflict tied to the gurdwara’s leadership, board elections and handling of community money.
The eyewitness who spoke to Bild said tensions had been building for some time. “The background is a dispute between former committee members and the current ones. It also involves money belonging to the community. There have been problems and trouble for quite some time. But mainly it’s about influence and who has the say here in the temple,” the witness said.
German authorities have opened a broad investigation into the incident. A police spokesperson told NRZ that enquiries are “proceeding in all directions.” As investigators continue their work, questions remain over who brought weapons into the gurdwara and what triggered the violence.
