3 weeks ago
Bus driver kicks explosive drone from air at German airport
A bus driver at an airport in Germany saw a drone flying very low and kicked it out of the sky.
The drone had real explosives and a detonator inside, which could have hurt people.
The drone crashed on the ground, and police came to collect evidence.
Leaders in Germany said the driver was very brave and may have stopped a very bad attack.
But they also said it was extremely dangerous to do that.
They told other people not to try kicking a drone and to call the police instead if they see something scary.
The airport is special because it helps move big equipment for NATO and cargo for companies like DHL.
Police are still investigating who sent the drone.
Nobody knows yet where the drone came from or who was behind it.
A bus driver kicked a low-flying, explosive-laden drone out of the air at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany, causing it to crash nearby.
Federal prosecutors launched a counterterrorism probe into what they called a serious attack that could have impacted foreign and domestic security.
The drone was equipped with professional explosives and a detonator, prosecutors said.
Lawmaker Detlef Seif praised the driver's 'daring and courageous' act, while Saxony interior minister Armin Schuster warned it was not a model to be emulated.
German media reported the drone was found near Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo planes; authorities have not disclosed where the drone came from.
- Who
- A bus driver at Leipzig/Halle airport, plus German officials including CDU lawmaker Detlef Seif, Saxony interior minister Armin Schuster, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
- What
- An explosive-laden drone was knocked out of the air by a bus driver and crashed; federal prosecutors opened a counterterrorism probe into a potential attack.
- Where
- Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany, a major NATO and cargo logistics hub.
- When
- Late Tuesday, with the incursion reported on Wednesday; the lawmaker's account was given on Friday, Aug 7.
- Why
- The drone was equipped with professional explosives and a detonator, and officials believe the driver's intervention may have prevented an intended attack.
Praise for the intervention
Caution over the danger
Bus driver's actions
Praise for the intervention
Detlef Seif called the kick 'daring and courageous' and said it is possible the intervention prevented the intended attack.
Caution over the danger
Armin Schuster said the act was very dangerous and not a model to be emulated, saying letting authorities know would be enough.
Responsibility for the drone
Praise for the intervention
German authorities have previously accused Moscow of hybrid attacks and prosecutors have opened a counterterrorism probe.
Caution over the danger
Moscow has denied those accusations, Russia's embassy in Berlin did not respond, and authorities have not said where the drone came from.
Key facts
- Incident
- Bus driver kicked explosive-laden drone out of the air
- Location
- Leipzig/Halle Airport, Germany
- Timing
- Late Tuesday; incursion reported Wednesday; lawmaker's account given Aug 7
- Drone payload
- Professional explosives and a detonator
- Investigation
- Federal counterterrorism probe launched
- Airport role
- Main operational base for NATO's SALIS; used by logistics companies including DHL
- Drone found near
- Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo planes, per German media reports
- Evidence collection
- A Reuters journalist saw police collecting evidence near one of the planes early on Wednesday
Quotes
Armin Schuster
Interior minister for the state of Saxony
“"The bus driver’s action was very daring and courageous, but also very dangerous. It is possible that his intervention prevented the intended attack."”
theprint.in
NDTV
“"A bus driver kicked the drone away while it was flying low. It then crashed and came to rest on the ground."”
theprint.in
NDTV
Sources
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