World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Sharp metal objects found in Halloween sweets across Europe
Sharp metal objects have been found in Halloween sweets across Europe, including in Germany, Austria and Hungary.
Children in Germany and Austria were hurt, while a girl in Hungary spotted a nail before swallowing the sweet.
Reports also came from Norway, Denmark and Ireland.
The sweets were given to children who had been trick-or-treating, and police say families should check treats before children eat them.
Police are investigating how the objects got into the sweets, but the route from household to household can be difficult to trace.
Authorities are checking for possible links between cases, but they have no evidence so far of a coordinated operation.
Europol is supporting national police investigations through existing projects.
Sharp metal objects, including needles, nails and screws, were found in Halloween sweets in several European countries.
Children were injured in some incidents, including a nine-year-old girl in Germany who hurt her tongue on a chocolate bar containing a pin.
Police issued warnings to parents and opened investigations in several countries.
Reported cases included Germany, Austria and Hungary, as well as Norway, Denmark and Ireland.
Authorities said they had no evidence that the incidents were coordinated, but are examining possible links.
- Who
- Children who received Halloween sweets were affected. Police and other authorities are investigating.
- What
- Sharp metal objects were found hidden in sweets, and some children were injured.
- When
- Around Halloween 2026. Reports were published on 3 and 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Germany, Austria and Hungary, with additional cases reported in Norway, the Copenhagen area and Ireland.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sharp objects were found in sweets handed out to children in several European countries.
Police issued warnings and authorities opened investigations into the contaminated sweets.
- Affected countries
- Germany, Austria and Hungary; cases also reported in Norway, Denmark and Ireland
- Injured child
- A nine-year-old girl in Bremervörde, Germany
- Object found in chocolate bar
- 5cm-long pin
- Hungarian investigation
- Sweets containing nails, screws and pieces of wire were reported around Gyömrő
- Austrian investigation
- Federal Criminal Police Office created the special commission Treat
3 sources
What people are saying
cowardly, malicious and in some cases life-threatening
We will do everything humanly possible to solve this cowardly and devious crime.
A digital networking of the perpetrators via forums or social networks cannot be ruled out.