A major German military installation near Cologne, the Köln-Wahn Air Base, has been completely isolated following concerns over possible contamination of the base’s drinking water.
Prompted Investigation
According to Ziare the incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, has prompted an investigation into a potential act of sabotage, according to the German publication Der Spiegel.
The Köln-Wahn base is a key hub for German military support to Ukraine, and was locked down with restricted access due to suspicions of an intrusion.
Military and civilian personnel were instructed to avoid using tap water as a precautionary measure. The base, located near the Cologne airport, houses approximately 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian employees.
Possible Sabotage?
The investigation centers on whether the water contamination resulted from an unauthorized entry into the base, which could also point to sabotage.
A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed the lockdown and the precautionary advice against drinking tap water while the situation is being assessed. Reports have indicated gastrointestinal issues among some personnel, but no direct link to the water supply has yet been established.
The Köln-Wahn base is critical to German military operations, including the transportation of high-ranking officials such as Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It also hosts several command centers and military offices. The base’s importance in NATO operations adds to the gravity of the situation.
The NATO alliance has previously warned about increased hostile activities from Moscow, including sabotage and cyberattacks. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest who might be responsible for the suspected breach at the Köln-Wahn base.
