A Christmas market in Cologne’s city center was evacuated last night after an unattended suitcase was found. Security personnel discovered the suitcase around 9 p.m.
at Rudolfplatz, where thousands were present. Police, opting for caution, evacuated the market.
It was later determined to be harmless, containing only sand. The suitcase was near a stall selling mulled wine, and police suspect it was deliberately left to provoke a police response.
An investigation is underway to identify the owner. The Rudolfplatz market is among Cologne’s largest, attracting millions of visitors, including many from the Netherlands.
The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, with approximately five million visitors, is Germany’s busiest.
Source: NOS