COLOGNE CARNIVAL IN PROGRESS.




Initials TS/V/JB/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TOWNS AND CITIES THROUGHOUT WEST GERMANY ARE IN A CARNIVAL MOOD AS THEY CELEBRATE BEFORE THE START OF LENT ON WEDNESDAY. IN COLOGNE THE CITY CELEBRATED AS USUAL, BUT IN ANOTHER TOWN, TRIER, TWO CHILDREN AND A WOMAN DIED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING A CARNIVAL PROCESSION.

THE ANNUAL COLOGNE CARNIVAL AS USUAL PARODIED EVENTS AND PEOPLE IN THE NEWS.

IN ANOTHER PART OF WEST GERMANY, AT TRIER, THE CARNIVAL WAS MARRED BY A TRAGEDY IN WHICH TWO CHILDREN, ONE FOUR AND ANOTHER TWO-YEARS-OLD, AND A WOMAN DIED WHEN A DECORATED TRUCK IN A CARNIVAL PROCESSION SWERVED INTO CROWDS LINING THE ROUTE.