Video: Dutch men run naked through German city, spark uproar and police investigation
Nine men, believed to be Dutch, ran naked through the center of Kleve, Germany, on Monday afternoon, causing public outrage and prompting police reports of public indecency, according to German newspaper WDR. The group passed by Schwanenburg Castle before leaving in cars with Dutch license plates. Police estimated the men to be about 20 years old.
Videos shared online show the men entirely naked except for hats and shoes as they ran past shops, streets, and landmarks in the city center.
The first call to local authorities came around 3:50 p.m., followed shortly by a second, according to the regional newspaper NRZ. Multiple bystanders filmed the incident, though many of the videos have since been removed, WDR reported.
A spokesperson for the Kleve police told WDR, “We have no idea what it was. Whether it was a bachelor party or a lost bet, we don’t know.” German media also suggested it could have been “a daring challenge, a lost bet, or a social media trend.”
Authorities have received a formal complaint for public indecency. The public prosecutor must determine whether the incident constitutes a criminal offense or an administrative violation. A police spokesperson added that while the complaint will be investigated, the authorities expect little result.
