North Rhine-Westphalia - The Commission has decided to suspend the operation of the airport.
Investigators are looking into unusual activities at a waterworks on the Cologne-Wahn airbase, suspecting a crime against the Bundeswehr. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense confirmed on Wednesday that the barracks had been closed for investigations due to suspicion of an attempted or successful illegal intrusion. He also stated that there is suspicion of sabotage. The perpetrators behind the possible actions are currently unknown. Meanwhile, investigations into trespassing are also underway.
In addition to the site in Cologne-Wahn, the NATO support point in North Rhine-Westphalia's Geilenkirchen was also temporarily sealed off due to suspicion of sabotage. A man attempted to enter the premises on Tuesday evening but was prevented from doing so, a NATO spokesperson told the news agency AFP on Wednesday. The support point was then routinely investigated, and police launched an investigation.
NATO Issues All-Clear in Geilenkirchen
Independently of this incident, NATO ordered a water quality test at the support point on Wednesday morning, the spokesperson said. This was a precautionary measure following suspicious water values at the Bundeswehr support point in Cologne-Wahn, which raised suspicion of sabotage. No indications of water quality issues in Geilenkirchen have been found.
In addition to the police and military police, the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) and the State Protection Office were also involved in the investigations. The ministry referred further details to the investigative authorities.
Security measures at the NATO support point have been increased in response to the incident in Cologne-Wahn, the spokesperson said. As part of this measure, security personnel at the entrance of the support point have been reinforced. NATO has since given the all-clear, stating that the support point is "operating at full capacity".
Water Samples Being Tested
The investigations at the Cologne-Wahn airbase were triggered by warnings of changes in the quality of the tap water, according to the Bundeswehr. As a result, a hole in the fence, through which a person could fit, was also discovered, as well as a suspicious person. "There was an incident at the barracks behind us last night, which led to the barracks being closed since then," said Colonel Ulrich Fonrobert, speaking on behalf of the Bundeswehr in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Bundeswehr takes this incident very seriously.
The water was then turned off, and the barracks were cordoned off. The search for an intruder was unsuccessful. After a few hours, the restrictions were lifted. No illnesses due to possible contamination of the drinking water have been reported. Water samples are now being further tested.
Thus, the suspicion of sabotage of the water supply was initially unconfirmed. Water samples were also taken for investigation. Reports of illness cases could not be confirmed. He spoke of abnormal water values.
The Territorial Command of the German Armed Forces (TFK) announces: "We wish a swift and full recovery to any personnel who may have been injured in connection with the incident." Due to ongoing investigations, no further details can be provided at this time.
The barracks could not be entered or exited for hours but was expected to reopen on Wednesday, according to Bundeswehr statements. The barracks in Cologne houses several command headquarters as well as military and civilian facilities of the Bundeswehr. It also hosts the Federal Ministry of Defense's air transport unit, as the barracks is adjacent to Cologne/Bonn Airport. In Geilenkirchen, for example, NATO's Awacs reconnaissance aircraft are stationed.
The possible backgrounds of the incident were initially unknown to the public. The Ministry of Defense did not provide details on a potential political connection when asked. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the overall security situation has been reassessed. Security experts have repeatedly warned that military infrastructure could also be a target of espionage or sabotage attempts.
In light of the suspicious activities at the Cologne-Wahn airbase, the fear of sabotage and other acts of violence extended to other military facilities. The NATO support point in Geilenkirchen temporarily closed due to the suspicion of sabotage, resulting in increased security measures and investigations.
Given the discovery of a suspicious person and unusual water values at the Cologne-Wahn airbase, investigators were quick to uncover potential acts of sabotage and other forms of violence against military infrastructure.
