Christmas Eve - Police: Checks at Cologne Cathedral without incident
Following indications of possible plans to attack Cologne Cathedral, there were no incidents during the checks of visitors to the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. A police spokeswoman said on Monday morning that the extensive checks of people in the cathedral had been inconspicuous. The area around the cathedral, where the police had increased their presence, had also remained calm.
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne thanked those attending the service right at the beginning for "not allowing themselves to be frightened and scared despite the situation, but for coming here courageously". He expressed his special thanks to the police forces "who have turned the cathedral upside down, so to speak, so that we can celebrate the service and Christmas here tonight in complete safety". Woelki also thanked the cathedral saints and the employees of the security services.
According to dpa, the security authorities had received information about a possible plan by an Islamist group to attack the cathedral and a church in Vienna. According to the Cologne police, the information related to New Year's Eve. In view of the festive season, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) had encouraged people not to be deterred from attending church because the protection provided by the authorities was working.
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- Despite the threat of terrorism, the large contingent of police ensured a peaceful celebration of saint's eve at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, with no incidents reported during the rigorous checks.
- Cardinal Woelki expressed gratitude towards the Austrian police for their role in thwarting a potential attack plan on Cologne Cathedral and a church in Vienna, allowing for a secure celebration of Christmas Eve.
- In the aftermath of the thwarted attack plans, tourists planning holidays in Cologne were reassured of their safety, as the city continued its usual festive activities without interruption.
- The Attack plan on Cologne Cathedral was reportedly linked to an Islamist group, prompting North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister, Herbert Reul, to urge the public not to let the fear of terrorism deter them from attending religious services during the holiday season.
- Officers from Cologne's police force, working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the public, received praise from Cardinal Woelki and the entire congregation for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the city's landmark Cologne Cathedral and its visitors.
- Following the aborted attack, the dpa reported that security authorities had received intelligence concerning a potential terrorist threat not only against Cologne Cathedral but against a church in Vienna as well, highlighting the ongoing vigilance required to protect against such threats cross-border.
Source: www.stern.de
