Mystery explosions shake Cologne: Police probe linked incidents

Unease has gripped Cologne. German police are investigating a series of mysterious explosions in apartment buildings in the districts of Muelheim Buchheim and Engelskirchen. According to them, the explosions are connected.

The first explosion in Cologne occurred on the weekend of Saturday to Sunday. Residents heard a loud bang, and shortly afterward, smoke appeared next to the residential building.

The explosion caused significant damage to the building's entrance door and led to several window panes being shattered. As a result of the explosion, one of the apartments is uninhabitable, police reported, as quoted by "Bild."

The German tabloid also notes additional such incidents on Sunday evening. Shortly after the first incident, more explosive devices went off near the exact location. These occurred outside buildings. The houses were damaged, but fortunately, no one was hurt.

The most recent explosion so far occurred on Monday morning outside an apartment building in Engelskirchen, east of Cologne. Several windows and the entrance door were significantly damaged. The police claim to have increased their activity in the areas of these incidents. They have also asked witnesses to provide any information regarding the explosions, reports "Bild."

Investigators believe that the described events are connected. The basis of such assumptions is the "method of committing the crime" and the "explosive materials" used.

Based on current findings and an initial assessment of the secured materials, specialists suspect that pyrotechnic elements were ignited in front of the buildings, notes the tabloid.