Cologne Christmas fair evacuated due to unknown suitcase

In Cologne, the territory of the Christmas market was cordoned off and visitors were evacuated because of an unknown suitcase. About it on Saturday, December 14, reports the German tabloid Bild.

"Late Saturday night, police cleared the Christmas market on Rudolfplatz in Cologne. The reason: a suitcase left behind," the publication's piece said.

Members of the state criminal police department arrived at the alarm. About midnight was given permission to open. The suitcase did not contain explosives, but there were kilograms of sand packed in bags.

The fair was supposed to close at 22:00, but due to the situation closed ten minutes earlier.

Earlier, on November 22, in London, police cordoned off the US embassy because of a suspicious object. Later they added that the "loud clap" in the area was a controlled explosion, which was carried out by the police themselves.