German police announced on Saturday December 23 evening that they would carry out searches in Cologne Cathedral (west) in search of explosive devices in particular, following a “danger notice” issued for December 31. “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 evening mass and “in agreement with the head of security of the cathedral chapter,” the cathedral is searched with sniffer dogs, 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 to masses,” it is still written.
The German daily Bild states 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.
Increased surveillance in Austria
Austrian police also announced 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 evolution of the risk (…) and the continually increasing terrorist alert level, there is overall an increased risk in Austria during the Christmas holidays,” the press release continues.
On Friday, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called on prefects to “maintain extreme vigilance” due to the “very high level of the terrorist threat.” On the same day, five people were arrested in Meurthe-et-Moselle and taken into custody by the intelligence services as part of an investigation opened for “criminal terrorist association”. According to a source close to the case, those arrested belong to the Islamist movement.