Potsdam Christmas Market: State protection takes over investigation into explosives fund

Near the Potsdam Christmas market, a package with nails and an explosive device, presumably a firecrackers, was found. The police defused the subject.

Potsdam Christmas Market: State protection takes over investigation into explosives fund

Near a Christmas market in city centre of Potsdam, a package was found in afternoon – obviously with an explosive or incendiary device. The affected area, including Christmas market and numerous shops, was cleared, as a police spokesman said. The package was defused, as police on Twitter shared.

In package, in which, according to an X-ray examination, nails were also found, according to Brandenburg's interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schröter (SPD) was also a so-called Poland firecrackers. There is a hint that package was not explosive because no detonator was found, he said. The police told me that it was a "cylindrical object with cables, batteries, and nails".

The State protection of National Criminal office has meanwhile taken over investigation. The background was that a political motive could not be ruled out, said spokesman of police presidium, Torsten Herbst. In addition, re are specialists in State Protection for explosives and incendiary devices.

In evening police were looking for or possible packages that could have been delivered in area. The search ranged to a radius of 300 to 400 meters. So far, however, no or package has been discovered. The police assume that Potsdam Christmas market can open again regularly on Saturday.

The package had previously identified a "hazardous substance" by special forces of federal Police. The police spoke in context of an "unconventional explosive or fire device". This term is often used for a bomb.

The IEDs suspicion has been confirmed. The affected area in downtown Potsdam must be cleared! Please note our loudspeaker announcements! 0112pdm

— PolizeiBrandenburg_E (@PolizeiBB_E) 1 de diciembre de 2017

The package was delivered in afternoon according to a report by Potsdam's latest news (PNN) by a courier at a pharmacy. The pharmacy owner said to PNN, when unpacking it was noted "that re were such strange wires peeping out". The package was immediately taken out of pharmacy and police were informed. As a precaution, area around site was closed. About Twitter informed police about what happened.

The traditional Christmas market of blue light shine takes place every year in city of Potsdam. It extends along Brandenburg Road to Luisenplatz, near Sanssouci Palace Park.

At beginning of week many Christmas markets were opened in Germany. After assassination of a Berlin Christmas market, security measures had been tightened nationwide almost a year ago. Concrete barriers have been set up in many cities. At same time, politicians appealed to people not to be intimidated by threat of terrorism.

On December 19, 2016, assassin Anis Amri was driven into Christmas market at Berlin Memorial Church with a hijacked truck. He killed 12 people and injured more than 70.

Date Of Update: 02 December 2017, 12:03
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