Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) said yesterday that a possible terrorist attack on a Munich-bound flight had been foiled after Namibian police intercepted a suspected explosive device in a suitcase.
The discovery of the device, which was probably due to be loaded on to an Air Berlin flight from the Namibian capital, Windhoek, to Munich on Wednesday, came hours after German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said authorities had “concrete information” that a cell of Islamists was planning attacks across Germany later this month.
De Maiziere said there were clear indications that the suspected suitcase bomb found by Namibian police had been bound for Munich. The device consisted of batteries connected to a detonator and a clock, according to X-ray images.
SECURITY TEST
A German security source later said the package carried a label indicating it was a security test, but that remains unconfirmed.
Passengers on the plane, which was mainly carrying German holidaymakers, were questioned by police when they finally landed in Munich early yesterday after an eight-hour delay.
BKA investigators based in neighboring South Africa have been sent to Windhoek to help the local authorities, and there were also plans to send an additional team from Germany.
“It will only be possible to know whether we’re dealing here with an explosive device after criminal technical investigations have been completed,” a BKA statement said.
More details emerged yesterday about the cell the security forces said was planning to attack sites across Germany.
According to the BKA it is believed to consist of about six men, four of whom are of Indian or Pakistani origin, and two of whom are thought to be German.
The men are believed to be traveling either on German passports or Schengen visas, allowing them easy passage across Europe.
Security measures have been heightened to unprecedented levels across Germany, particularly at railway stations, airports, seaports and luxury hotels.
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