Illegal Drones Over Kiel: Joint Response Planned by Northern States
Illegal cheap flights have caused concern in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The public prosecutor's office is investigating unknown persons following incidents in late September, with important buildings in the state capital, Kiel, potentially measured from the air. The Interior and Legal Affairs Committee discussed these nighttime flights at the end of September.
Der Spiegel first reported these incidents. Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack confirmed the flights but did not specify if they involved a 'mother drone' and smaller drones, as suggested by the maneuvers lasting several hours. The public prosecutor suspects a crime involving dangerous surveillance of critical infrastructure, including the state parliament.
The five northern coastal states plan a joint response. A flights conference is scheduled for early November in Hamburg to tackle the issue together. Other parts of the state were also affected, indicating a widespread problem. Flights have been observed in all federal states for years, with increasing numbers reported. Some states are reviewing their police laws to enable flights defense, including capturing or taking control of illegal flights.
The investigation into the illegal flights in Schleswig-Holstein continues. The public prosecutor is yet to identify the unknown persons involved. The upcoming joint flights conference in Hamburg aims to address this growing concern across the northern coastal states.
