Germany news: Search for second drone after Leipzig incident

What we know about the explosive drone defused at Leipzig Airport

If you're joining us now, here is what to know about this incident:

German federal police specialists have defused a drone carrying an explosive device after an overnight security incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport

The incident prompted the closure of parts of one of Europe's largest cargo hubs

The airport plays a key role in the transport of military goods and serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines

Local news reported that the bomb disposal robot disabled the drone near an Antonov plane painted with the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag

Investigators were also examining a second object that hit a cargo aircraft

Berlin has opened a counterterrorism investigation

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt cut his summer break short to address the incident

He said the armed drone found was a hybrid attack which opened a "new level of danger"

Skip next section Search continues after explosive drone found at Leipzig airport

43 minutes ago43 minutes ago

Search continues after explosive drone found at Leipzig airport

A police officer in protective clothing works at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, GermanyA police officer in protective clothing works at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany

A DHL cargo aircraft hit an unknown object as it was climbing away from the airport overnightImage: Axel Schmidt/REUTERS

Investigators are continuing their work at Leipzig/Halle Airport a day after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered on one of its runways.

Saxony's State Criminal Police Office said the search for a second unidentified object would resume on Thursday morning.

The explosive-laden drone was found overnight Tuesday into Wednesday on the airport's southern runway, according to investigators.

Security sources said it was lying near a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 Condor transport aircraft. Federal police specialists later defused the explosive device.

Investigators are also looking into a suspected second flying object that may have struck a cargo aircraft after it aborted its landing because of the runway closure.

Minor damage was discovered after the aircraft landed in Hanover.

Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster said authorities were still searching for parts of a possible second drone.

To read more about Wednesday's drone developments, click here.

You join us in the aftermath of an explosive-laden drone being discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Police in the eastern state of Saxony say the search is underway for a second unidentified object that may have struck a cargo aircraft after it aborted its landing because of the initial drone discovery.

Germany's interior minister, who has warned that we may be seeing a new level of threat, even cut short a vacation in Italy to keep up with developments in a top-level security briefing.

Stay with us here for these stories and more of the things that Germany is talking about today.

SOURCE:DW