Drone carrying explosives found at German airport, police say

What the report says

German police are investigating a suspected explosive device found at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, the BBC reported, after an unidentified drone or similar flying object was seen near the site late Wednesday. According to the report, the object was discovered in the cargo area close to the southern runway, near where Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft were parked. Authorities used an explosive-detection robot as part of the response, and flights were temporarily disrupted overnight.

Several aircraft were diverted, including a passenger flight from Mallorca, while operations on the airport’s northern runway later resumed. The southern runway remains closed, according to police. The BBC also said German Press Agency DPA cited security sources describing the item as an explosive device with a detonator attached to the drone. Separately, Bild reported that another cargo aircraft may have struck an unknown object in mid-air after departing Leipzig, later landing safely in Hanover with minor damage.

Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster called the incident a very serious security matter. The report places the case in the context of recent unauthorized drone activity around sensitive German sites, including airports and logistics facilities. German officials have previously warned that some overflights could be linked to foreign sabotage efforts, although such allegations remain under investigation and are not confirmed in this case.