Ten thousand residents near a military base in western Germany were advised to refrain from using tap water as authorities probe a potential sabotage incident at a water supply facility. The precautionary warning was issued late Thursday following the discovery of a cut fence at a water storage site in the Mechernich area, situated near Bonn. By Friday morning, the all-clear was declared, but residents were still urged to boil their water prior to consumption.
This alert followed an earlier incident where an air force base near the Cologne-Bonn airport was temporarily sealed off after “abnormal water values” were detected in the supply. In a separate occurrence, reports emerged of an attempted breach at NATO’s Geilenkirchen base, located near the Dutch border.
The nature and extent of the potential sabotage in these incidents remain uncertain. Nonetheless, Germany’s armed forces have heightened security measures in light of increased tensions stemming from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. NATO’s AWACS reconnaissance planes are stationed at Geilenkirchen, while the Cologne-Wahn base hosts high-ranking German air force officials and aircraft utilized for government ministers’ international travel.
Approximately 5,000 soldiers and civilians work at the Cologne-Wahn base. Although the perimeter fence was intact, a hole was discovered near the barracks’ water supply. No arrests have been made in connection with the alleged sabotage incidents.
As the fire brigade warned locals against using tap water for drinking or cooking, residents in Mechernich and surrounding communities quickly turned to bottled water. Military officials expressed serious concerns about these events. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser indicated earlier this week that Germany faces an escalated risk of Russian sabotage, stating that threats range from espionage to cyber attacks.
Germany’s military support to Ukraine has made the nation the second-largest donor after the U.S., committing around €28 billion since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Recent intelligence warnings have highlighted an uptick in sabotage risks, including reports of a suspected Russian plot targeting executives at Germany’s largest arms manufacturer. Last April, two dual nationals were arrested in Bavaria on suspicion of plotting sabotage against military or industrial installations.
