Police search German train for suspected explosives

German authorities say they have detained a teenage boy after a train was halted near Hanover and searched for suspected explosives, reported dpa.

Around 100 passengers had to wait at a station in Wunstorf near the city of Hanover on Saturday evening as officers searched the intercity (IC) train, but no explosives were found, a federal police spokesperson said.

The Düsseldorf public prosecutor's office and Cologne police said that a 17-year-old was being investigated on suspicion of preparing a serious act of violence against the state.

Federal police apprehended the boy at Hanover Central Station on Saturday afternoon. An officer examined one of the suspect's bags but it did not contain any dangerous objects.

According to the police, the 17-year-old had been on the IC train before police intercepted him at the Central Station. He is said to have behaved conspicuously and left a bag with objects at the travel centre. The area was cordoned off but the bag contained only clothing.

Hanover police said they had been acting on a tip-off from their colleagues in Cologne.