Police investigate explosion at Cologne cafe – DW – 25-09-2024

Police in Cologne said on Wednesday they were investigating an explosion that destroyed a cafe in the early morning hours.

According to police, the explosion took place shortly before 3 a.m. local time (01 a.m. UTC) in the northwestern Pesch district.

The cafe, located on the ground floor of an apartment building, reportedly went up in flames.

About 20 people were evacuated from the building and two residents were treated for suspected smoke inhalation, a spokesman said.

Suspect turns himself in to police

A few hours after the incident, police reported that a suspect, accompanied by a lawyer, had turned himself in.

A second suspect is currently being sought.

According to authorities, initial findings from their investigation suggest that the explosion is not related to a series of explosions that have taken place at several locations in Cologne in recent weeks.

Last week, two explosions took place in the city center within three days.

According to police, the explosions are linked to rival gangs involved in illegal drug trafficking.

“There are clearly still unpaid bills in the area that still need to be settled,” said Michael Esser, head of the criminal investigation department in Cologne, last week. He called the violence “unprecedented.”

nm/dj (AFP, dpa)