German police are investigating a drone suspected of carrying an explosive device found near a runway close to Ukrainian Antonov transport planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the night of Wednesday, August 5th, 2026. Authorities reported that shortly before midnight, an unidentified flying object was sighted, prompting the diversion of several flights, including a passenger aircraft from Mallorca.
The drone was discovered in the cargo area near a Ukrainian aircraft. Police employed an explosive detection robot to examine the item. According to the German Press Agency DPA, security sources indicated that the drone had an explosive device with a detonator attached.
Flights on the northern runway resumed at 13:55 local time the following day. Additionally, Bild newspaper reported that another cargo plane collided with an unknown object in mid-air shortly after taking off from Leipzig airport on the same night. The plane landed safely at Hanover airport, where minor damage was found on the nose section.
In a related incident, in July 2024, a parcel caught fire on the ground at Leipzig airport before it could be loaded onto a DHL cargo plane.
Sources
- A police spokesman told the BBC the drone was spotted close to where Ukrainian Antonov transport planes were parked.
- Bild newspaper reported the mid-air collision involving a cargo plane.
- German Press Agency DPA quoted security sources on the explosive device attached to the drone.
- Police statements and flight status updates from Leipzig/Halle Airport.
For more details, see the BBC report.
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