German military airbase case now probed for trespass, not sabotage

Cologne police on Wednesday said an incident at a western German military airbase is now being treated as a trespassing case, after initial suspicions of sabotage to the base's water supply proved unfounded.

A spokeswoman said police are investigating after an "unauthorized person" was spotted on the Cologne-Wahn airbase early on Wednesday, leading military officials to conduct an unsuccessful search.

Earlier reports suggested the unidentified individual may have tampered with the barracks' water supply.

A spokesman for the German Air Force earlier said abnormal water levels had been recorded, while also confirming that a hole was discovered in a fence at the site, leading to the suspicion of a break-in.

The barracks at Cologne-Wahn airbase were put on lockdown for several hours on Wednesday as investigators looked into a suspected criminal offence.

There was evidence of "an attempted or completed illegal intrusion" at the Cologne-Wahn airbase, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. There was also "a suspicion of sabotage," he added.

A spokesman for the German Air Force separately confirmed earlier reports of a hole discovered in a fence.

However, he could not confirm reports that there had been cases of illness.

A source told dpa that water samples were taken for the investigation.

The alarm was raised about the water on Tuesday evening, officials said.

The military police, the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), and the State Security Service, which deal with politically motivated crime, are among the authorities involved in the investigation.

No one was allowed to leave or enter the barracks for several hours on Wednesday, but the lockdown was lifted in the afternoon.

The barracks are home to several departments, including the German Air Force office responsible for travelling Cabinet members and senior government officials.