BERLIN — Germany has opened a terrorism investigation after authorities discovered a drone carrying an explosive device near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport, one of Europe’s largest air cargo hubs. The security scare also coincided with a separate incident in which a DHL cargo aircraft was struck by an unidentified object after diverting from the airport, prompting heightened concerns over aviation security.
Police said the drone was found late Tuesday near the airport’s southern runway, one of Europe’s busiest air cargo hubs and a key logistics center for international freight operations. Bomb disposal specialists used a robot to remove the drone’s detonator before securing the device, allowing authorities to declare there was no immediate danger to passengers or airport personnel.
The discovery prompted the temporary closure of both runways, forcing flight diversions and disrupting cargo operations. While the north runway reopened after about two hours, the south runway remained unavailable because it was already scheduled for maintenance.
During the disruption, a DHL cargo aircraft that had aborted its landing at Leipzig later collided with an unidentified object while in flight before landing safely in Hanover with minor damage. Investigators have not confirmed whether the object that struck the aircraft was another drone, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Germany’s federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation, citing its potential significance to national security. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt convened an emergency meeting with senior security officials as authorities examined whether the incident could be linked to sabotage or terrorism.
Authorities said the explosive-laden drone was found near a parked cargo aircraft operated by Antonov Airlines of Ukraine. Investigators have not identified those responsible, and officials emphasized that no conclusions have been reached regarding the motive or origin of the device. While German officials acknowledged a pattern of suspicious drone activity over sensitive sites in recent years, they have not publicly attributed the latest incident to any country or organization.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is one of Europe’s largest cargo airports and serves as DHL’s principal European hub. The airport also supports logistics operations for the German military and NATO, making it strategically important for both commercial and defense transport.
The latest security scare follows a series of suspected sabotage incidents targeting European transportation and logistics networks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. German authorities have repeatedly warned of increased drone activity around airports, military facilities, and other critical infrastructure, although investigators stressed that it is too early to determine whether the Leipzig incident is connected to those cases.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
