German Military Base Sealed Off Amid Sabotage Fears

A German military base near Cologne airport has been sealed off, and soldiers advised not to consume tap water amid suspicions of sabotage. Authorities are investigating possible contamination after a forced entry into the premises. The base houses 4,300 soldiers and important military aircraft.

A German military base next to Cologne airport has been sealed off and thousands of soldiers working there have been advised not to drink tap water as authorities investigate what may be an act of sabotage, Spiegel magazine reported on Wednesday.

The tap water on the base, which is home to 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian employees, may have been contaminated after someone forced entry into the premises bordering Cologne airport. Police, military police, and the military intelligence agency MAD are looking into the case.

The base in Cologne-Wahn hosts the fleet of military aircraft used for travel by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ministers. The defence ministry in Berlin and the military intelligence agency MAD were not immediately available for comment. Police in Cologne said they could not comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)