German Authorities Investigate Possible Contamination at Military Base in Cologne

German authorities have cordoned off a military base in Cologne as part of an investigation into possible contamination of the water supply. A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) confirmed on Wednesday that an investigation has been initiated regarding suspected sabotage at the Köln-Wahn barracks.

A warning has been issued to personnel on the base not to drink tap water and to remain on site while the investigation is ongoing. The base, located next to Cologne Airport, houses the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) office responsible for VIP flights used by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other ministers.

Following indications of a disturbance, a hole was discovered in a water tank. Samples have been taken amid concerns that the water supply might be contaminated. Thousands of individuals on the base, which employs 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilians, have been ordered to remain at the barracks and have been advised against drinking tap water while police, military police, and military intelligence conduct their investigation.

A spokesperson for the Territorial Command (Territorialkommando) in Berlin confirmed to Reuters that the Köln-Wahn base had been secured and stated that the army is taking the matter “very seriously.” There are no indications at this time regarding who may have gained unauthorized access to the base.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has previously warned about an increase in hostile activities orchestrated by Moscow, including sabotage and cyberattacks. Several countries, such as Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic, have reported incidents in recent months. In July, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg remarked that the Western military alliance observed an evolving pattern, suggesting that the recent attacks were a result of increased activity by the Russian intelligence services.