Here are some specific examples of what happened to people who tried to escape from East Germany:
- Imprisonment: Thousands of people who tried to escape from East Germany were caught and imprisoned. They were often held in harsh conditions, subjected to torture and interrogation, and denied basic necessities.
- Torture: The Stasi, the East German secret police, used a variety of torture methods to extract information from escapees and potential escapees. These methods included beatings, electric shocks, sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.
- Death: Hundreds of people died in their attempts to escape from East Germany. Some were shot by border guards, while others drowned in rivers or died from exposure to the elements. In addition, some escapees were killed by their own countrymen, who were afraid of being punished if they were caught helping someone escape.
Despite the risks, thousands of people continued to attempt to escape from East Germany. Their courage and determination eventually led to the downfall of the communist regime and the reunification of Germany in 1990.