Authorities Warn of Incendiary Devices in Air Freight Shipments

German security authorities, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), have warned about unconventional incendiary devices being sent by unknown individuals through freight service providers. This warning is linked to an incident at the DHL logistics center in Leipzig, which serves as a global hub for the company.

(Berlin/Leipzig) In recent weeks, authorities have become aware of several packages sent by private individuals in Europe that caught fire during transport in various European countries. This information comes from a security notice obtained by the German Press Agency in Berlin. The notice has been forwarded to companies in the aviation and logistics sectors.

Incident at the DHL Logistics Center Leipzig

In security circles, the warning message is associated with an incident at the DHL logistics center in Leipzig. In July, a package sent from the Baltic region was reported to contain an incendiary device and caught fire. This fire ignited an entire freight container that also contained other packages. However, the fire was quickly extinguished.

The affected package was originally supposed to be unloaded in Leipzig and then forwarded to the final recipient. Similar incidents have reportedly occurred in other European countries as well.

Constitution Protection Agency Sends Security Notice

In response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution stated that the BfV’s economic protection division specifically informs businesses and associations about potential security risks. A corresponding security notice was sent out on August 28. However, the BfV did not provide further details, as it is a non-public document.

The awareness letter from the BfV and BKA indicates that additional packages with unconventional incendiary devices may have been sent or could still be sent. Affected companies are urged to raise awareness among their employees regarding such risks and to take appropriate precautions. Current information suggests that the incendiary devices were deliberately sent to harm freight service providers and the logistical infrastructure in Western countries. The packages known so far contained electrical devices as well as containers with liquids. It is also noteworthy that the shipping costs of these packages often bore no economic relation to the value of the items contained.