An airport in Germany had to shut down its runway due to the discovery of a drone carrying a potential detonator near a Ukrainian aircraft. Investigators classified the drone as a potential explosive device, found at Leipzig/Halle Airport late last night.
The device was found in close proximity to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, leading to the closure of the airport’s southern runway for examination by explosives disposal experts. Authorities are currently investigating reports of an unidentified flying object possibly linked to the incident from last night.
Following the runway closure, a DHL cargo plane had to abort its landing and reportedly collided with an unidentified object about 400 meters above the ground, approximately six kilometers away from the airport. The plane sustained damage but landed safely in Hanover.
Germany has recently experienced unauthorized drone flights at various locations, including military bases, seaports, logistics centers, and energy facilities, prompting heightened vigilance at airports.
A bomb disposal team was dispatched to Leipzig/Halle Airport after the drone discovery. The drone was found to be carrying a mass of explosive material with a detonator attached. Fortunately, the explosive was defective, preventing any detonation, as reported by Bild.
Initial plans by the German Federal Police for a remote detonation were revised, with the drone and package set to be placed in a specialized container for further examination. NATO investigators are also involved in the ongoing probe, as four Ukrainian aircraft were in the vicinity of the drone bomb. Despite the investigation, passenger flights at the airport remain unaffected, according to German media reports.
