Unknown attackers fire pyrotechnics at Bundeswehr plane in Germany – Spiegel
In Germany, a transport aircraft was attacked with pyrotechnics (Illustrative photo: flickr by Björn Lammers)
At the German Celle Air Base on Friday, September 26, unknown individuals began firing pyrotechnics at a C-130 transport aircraft. The incident occurred after the plane had taken off, Spiegel reported.
According to the publication, the aircraft was not damaged as a result of the incident. The pilots immediately reported the event to the control tower.
Both the Bundeswehr and the police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Sources in the Bundeswehr told the publication that attacks on military aircraft are sporadic, although pilots are occasionally targeted with laser pointers.
Spiegel specifies that the perpetrators most likely used a New Year's rocket — a reported flash of light was followed by a bang. Since the incident occurred during the day, it cannot be ruled out that it was intentional.
Immediately after the incident, members of the military police and regular police searched the area around Celle Air Base, but so far, they have found nothing.
Celle police told reporters that a case has been opened under Article 1, which pertains to dangerous interference with air traffic. The area around the base was searched with the involvement of dog handlers and sniffer dogs, but nothing has yet been found that could help solve the crime.
The police added that there is currently no evidence of a real threat to the Air Force aircraft, as the rocket was launched approximately 500 meters from the plane.
Incident with Trump's helicopter
Earlier, US media reported that a man was detained in Washington for aiming a laser pointer at the helicopter carrying President Donald Trump.
This could have caused the pilot to suffer temporary blindness and disorientation, and could have led to a disaster.
