Maximum vigilance in Germany. German police announced that they would carry out searches in Cologne Cathedral (west) on Saturday evening with sniffer dogs, following a “danger notice” issued for New Year’s Eve. “Even though the information relates to New Year’s Eve, from this evening we will do everything possible to ensure the safety of visitors to the cathedral on Christmas Eve,” said Cologne police chief Michael Esser , quoted in a press release.
After the evening mass and “in agreement with the head of security of the cathedral chapter”, the cathedral was searched with sniffer dogs, the police said. “On Sunday, all visitors will be subject to screening before entering the place of worship,” it is specified in the press release. “The police and the cathedral chapter recommend giving up bags and arriving early at masses,” it is still written.
Austria is also intensifying its surveillance
The German daily Bild claims on its website that security services in Austria, Germany and Spain have received indications that an Islamist group wants to carry out several attacks in Europe possibly on New Year’s Eve and Christmas. According to the newspaper, the targets of these attacks could be Christmas masses in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid.
He also claims that the first arrests by special forces took place on Saturday in Vienna, as well as one in Germany. Contacted by AFP, a Vienna police official could not immediately confirm an arrest. Austrian police also indicated on Saturday that they were intensifying their surveillance, especially around churches, religious events and Christmas markets in Vienna.
“Terrorist actors in Europe are calling for attacks against Christian events, especially around December 24,” she said in a statement. “Due to the current risk assessment (…) and the continually increasing terrorist alert level, there is overall an increased risk in Austria during the Christmas holidays,” the press release continues.