Bus driver kicked explosive drone out of the air at German airport, lawmaker says
Germany's top security officials convened an emergency meeting after an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport, raising fears of a serious attack on one of Europe's most important cargo and NATO logistics hubs.
The emergency session of Germany's Security Council was led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who discussed the incident with senior national security officials. Federal prosecutors have classified the case as a counterterrorism investigation, describing it as a serious threat to Germany's transportation infrastructure and national security.
According to senior lawmaker Detlef Seif, the drone was carrying professional-grade explosives and a detonator. The device reportedly crashed after a bus driver noticed it and kicked it out of the air before it could cause greater harm. Authorities praised the driver's courage but warned the public not to attempt similar actions, urging people to immediately alert police if they encounter suspicious drones.
The drone was reportedly found near Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport, which serves as a major logistics center for NATO's SALIS (Strategic Airlift International Solution) program and is also an important cargo hub for DHL. The incident has intensified concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to emerging drone threats.
Investigators have not publicly identified those responsible, and no group has claimed involvement. While some German officials have previously accused Russia of conducting hybrid attacks across Europe, authorities have stressed that no evidence has yet been released linking Moscow or any other actor to this specific incident. The investigation remains ongoing as security agencies continue examining the drone and its origin.