A cargo plane struck an unidentified flying object midair and a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Germany’s Leipzig airport on Wednesday. File Photo by Anna Szilagyi/EPA
Aug. 5 (UPI) — A cargo plane struck an unidentified flying object midair and a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Germany’s Leipzig airport on Wednesday.
The drone was found by an airport staff member in a secure area where the airport’s cargo flight operations are carried out, near the south runway. The detonator attached to the drone was removed by a bomb disposal robot.
The drone was spotted near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. Germany is Ukraine‘s biggest national military aid supplier.
The discovery caused a temporary suspension of all flight operations at the airport at around midnight local time. This caused several flights to switch to other airports, including a passenger flight.
The southern runway where the drone was discovered remained closed.
The DHL cargo plane that collided with an unidentified flying object made an emergency landing in Hanover, Germany. The aircraft suffered minor damage. No injuries have been reported.
The incidents have been described as separate incidents.
Germany is among several European countries who have dealt with unauthorized drone flights over their airports, military facilities and other sensitive locations. It alleges that Russia is involved in a campaign of sabotage and espionage. Russia has denied these accusations.
The Central Office for Extremism Saxony and German state prosecutors are investigating the discovery of the explosive device.
