German military airbase on lockdown due to 'sabotage' investigation

The barracks at an airbase in western Germany have been put on lockdown as investigators look into a suspected criminal offence involving a change in the quality of tap water, military officials said on Wednesday, reported dpa.

There was evidence of "an attempted or completed illegal intrusion" at the Cologne-Wahn airbase, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. "There is also a suspicion of sabotage."

A spokesman for the German Air Force separately confirmed earlier reports that a hole was discovered in a fence, leading to the suspicion of a break-in on the base. He also said that there were abnormal water levels on the base.

However, he could not confirm reports that there had been cases of illness.

A source told dpa that water samples have been taken for the investigation.

The alarm was raised about the water on Tuesday evening, officials said.

The military police, the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), and the State Security Service, which deal with politically motivated crime, are among the authorities involved in the investigation.

No one was allowed to leave or enter the barracks on Wednesday, although the lockdown was expected to be lifted at some point in the afternoon.

The barracks are home to several departments, including the German Air Force office responsible for travelling Cabinet members and senior government officials.

By Carsten Hoffmann and Anne-Béatrice Clasmann.