German authorities have sealed off a military base in Cologne next to the airport after a suspected sabotage led to a potential contamination of the water supply. The investigation at the Cologne-Wahn barracks is currently underway, with soldiers and civilians at the base being warned not to drink the tap water and to stay on site. The base is home to the German Air Force office responsible for travel by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ministers.
A fence was found with a hole, prompting suspicion of interference with the water supply. Thousands of people at the base have been ordered to stay put while authorities, including the police, military police, and military intelligence agency, conduct their investigation. A spokesperson for the territorial command in Berlin stated that the army was taking the situation seriously.
There is no clear indication of who may have accessed the base illegally, but NATO has previously warned of hostile activities, including sabotage and cyberattacks, orchestrated by Moscow. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has noted a pattern of increased Russian intelligence activity leading to recent attacks in countries like Poland, Germany, Britain, and the Czech Republic.
The incident at the Cologne-Wahn barracks adds to the growing concerns of foreign interference and potential security threats faced by European nations. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of those at the base.
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