A German military base near Cologne was temporarily closed on Tuesday after suspicions arose that its water supply may have been sabotaged. The Cologne-Wahn barracks, which house around 5,500 personnel, including 4,300 soldiers, were closed as authorities began investigating the possible breach.

The incident came to light when a hole was discovered in a fence leading to the waterworks at the barracks, raising alarms about potential sabotage. Lieutenant Colonel Ulrich Fonrobert, a military spokesperson, explained that the base was closed as a precautionary measure, fearing that the intruder might still be on the property. Despite a thorough search, no suspects were found.

Although the barracks have since reopened, the potable water system remains closed as a security measure. Authorities, including the police, military police, and military counterintelligence service (MAD), are taking the incident seriously and actively investigating the situation. These security concerns reflect a broader context of growing fears in Europe about potential sabotage activities, particularly by Russia.

On the same day, security levels were also increased at a NATO air base in Geilenkirchen following a similar suspected sabotage incident. However, after evaluating the water conditions, the base was not closed. The proximity in time of these incidents has heightened concerns about possible coordinated attacks.

This incident follows growing concerns across Europe about Russian sabotage efforts. In May, NATO expressed deep concern about Moscow’s “malicious activities,” including sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. The incident at Cologne-Wahn underscores the need for heightened vigilance as European military installations remain on high alert.