Enlarge image
Explosives detection dog Smilla: deployed in the ICE, shouldered by the federal police service dog handler
Photo: Federal Police Inspectorate Hamburg
An abandoned package in the luggage rack of an ICE train traveling from Berlin to Hamburg triggered an operation by the Federal Police. A passenger discovered the package and informed the train manager, the federal police said on Tuesday. After arriving at Hamburg Central Station on Monday evening, the car containing the package was evacuated. Apparently someone was using the train as a kind of parcel service.
Explosives detection dog Smilla was on duty during the evacuation. According to the information, the animal did not strike. The service dog handler then took it on his shoulder so that she could sniff the package. Here too, according to the police, the dog did not show any “explosive reporting behavior”. Federal police then opened the package.
Inside they found a string of LED lights. According to the information, there was also a handwritten name and telephone number on the bottom of the package. The officers called the phone number, the federal police said. A man then appeared at the police station at Hamburg Central Station. He stated there that he was already waiting for the package.
Joy about package “gone quickly”
At first he was happy, they said. However, after “detailed instruction, an explanation of the dangers and an indication of any operational costs that may arise,” the joy quickly disappeared. After the police measures were completed, the 31-year-old was allowed to take the package with him.
According to the information, he did not tell the police anything about the sender, who had apparently stowed the package on the train in Berlin. The federal police are continuing to investigate. She warned against leaving luggage unattended in the station or train. Abandoned items should be reported immediately and not touched.
wit/AFP