Berlin [Germany], August 6 – German authorities defused an explosive-laden drone discovered at Leipzig, Halle Airport prompting temporary runway closure and raising concerns over what officials described as a dangerous new security threat.
The drone was found near the airport’s south runway by an employee late Tuesday after reports of a flying object in the area. Police deployed an explosives-disposal robot to examine the device before safely removing its detonator, according to regional police and prosecutors.
The discovery forced the closure of both runways at one of Europe’s busiest cargo hubs with several flights including a passenger aircraft diverted to other airports. Authorities later reopened the north runway, while the south runway remained closed for scheduled maintenance.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt travelled to the airport after cutting short his vacation, describing the incident as “a new quality of danger” and a “hybrid attack scenario.” He said investigations were underway to determine the origin of the drone, the type of explosives used and those responsible.
Authorities are also searching for parts of a possible second drone after an apparent flying object struck a freight aircraft that had aborted its landing because of the runway closure. The plane landed safely in Hannover with only minor damage.
Officials said there was no danger to passengers or airport staff, while NATO said it was monitoring the situation and referred further questions to German authorities.
