- Explosives-packed drone targeted Leipzig airport, prompting Germany to issue a warning of a 'new threat'.
- The interior minister stated that the incident may involve foreign powers and was professionally planned, not the work of amateurs.
- According to Bild, investigators believe a technical malfunction may have prevented the drone’s device from detonating, and the second flying object may have been a surveillance drone possibly carrying a camera to record an attack.
Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has raised alarms over an explosives-laden drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, calling it a 'new threat scenario' amid concerns of foreign involvement. The drone was discovered near a runway, leading to a temporary suspension of flights.
Dobrindt stated, 'Drone sightings, drone threats including in a hybrid context, are something we know from the past.' He emphasized that the presence of an explosives-laden drone at an airport signifies a significant escalation in security risks.
The incident occurred when authorities found a drone carrying an explosive device near the airport's south runway, which is primarily used for cargo flights. This prompted immediate action, including the deployment of a bomb disposal robot to safely remove the detonator attached to the drone.
In a related incident, a second unidentified flying object collided with a cargo plane that had to abort its landing due to the runway closure. Fortunately, the plane landed safely at Hannover Airport, sustaining only minor damage.
Dobrindt noted that the operation appeared to be professionally planned, stating, 'We are dealing with a competition here which may also include foreign powers.' The incident has heightened concerns over unauthorized drone activity in Germany, particularly near critical infrastructure, as security officials warn of potential espionage and sabotage risks amid ongoing tensions with Russia.2
“Investigators suspect a technical malfunction prevented the drone's device from detonating, according to Bild. The second flying object may have been a surveillance drone carrying a camera to record an attack, suggesting professional planning.”
