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Photo: DPA

Second abandoned bag causes bomb scare

Published: 13 Dec 12 12:48 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20121213-46751.html

A bag left on a platform at Essen railway station in western Germany caused a bomb scare on Wednesday evening, two days after an explosive device was discovered in Bonn. It was a false alarm, but the owner could face charges.

The stray bag sparked a major police operation and caused severe disruption to rail services as platforms were shut down for several hours, after a woman found the luggage and reported it to authorities.

It was only after some time that the police were able to establish that the green sports bag contained only clothing, a pair of scissors, and plastic pens, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday night.

Like the blue sports bag that turned out to contain a bomb in Bonn railway station on Monday, the bag was destroyed with a water cannon.

Essen police are now searching for the owner of the luggage, who could face a charge of faking a criminal act.

A spokesman for German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said that trains going through Essen, which lies on a busy route from Hannover to the Rhineland region, were diverted through Gelsenkirchen, causing some severe delays.

On Wednesday, police also released CCTV footage from the McDonald's restaurant near Bonn railway station, which they say shows a man carrying what they believe to be the bomb that was later destroyed.

The Local/DPA/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

14:01 December 13, 2012 by lucksi
Being absent minded or losing your stuff is a criminal act now, great.
14:55 December 13, 2012 by mobaisch
Oh my god, there is a bag.. everybody runs!

I wonder if they are "smart" enough to take it to the next step!!! where they sacrifice few humans for the sake of "some purpose".
19:27 December 13, 2012 by lucksi
Well, you know that IEDs are often hidden in cars, so why not call the police if you see one of those suspicious things?

Or how about the people who blow themselves up? Better shoot any fat person or someone wearing a bulky coat, because they could be hiding a bomb on their person.
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