Police Report Explosion in Cologne's City Center

What Happened?

On Tuesday, December 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM, an explosion occurred in the Innenstadt district of Cologne, Germany. The explosion took place near a busy intersection at the corner of Schildergasse and Hohe Straße, two of the city's main shopping streets.

Casualties and Damage

According to the latest reports, one person was killed and several others were injured. The deceased victim was a 55-year-old woman who was walking past the blast site. The injured include a 14-year-old girl who is in critical condition, and a 25-year-old man who has serious injuries.

The explosion caused significant damage to buildings and vehicles in the area. Several shops and restaurants were damaged, and several cars were destroyed. The blast also caused a temporary power outage in the area.

Investigation and Suspects

The police have cordoned off the area and are investigating the cause of the explosion. So far, no suspects have been arrested. However, the police believe that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Response from Authorities

The mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, has expressed her condolences to the victims and their families. She has also called for calm and urged people to avoid the area until the investigation is complete.

The German Federal Police have sent a team of investigators to assist with the investigation. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is also involved in the investigation.

Possible Motives

The police are still investigating the possible motives for the explosion. However, they have not ruled out the possibility that it was a terrorist attack.

There have been several terrorist attacks in Germany in recent years, including the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack and the 2018 Würzburg train attack. The police are working to determine if there is any connection between these attacks and the Cologne explosion.

Conclusion

The explosion in Cologne is a reminder of the threat of terrorism in Europe. The police are working to investigate the cause of the explosion and bring the perpetrators to justice.