The American magazine "Newsweek" reported that companies across Europe recorded a significant increase in demand for bomb shelters and bunkers, amid citizens' fear that Russia might soon use nuclear weapons in its ongoing war on Ukraine.
The magazine said that several companies told it that several European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom, are increasingly seeking information on building and purchasing shelters to protect their residents from any possible bombing, amid fears that the war may extend to other European countries.
Russia has repeatedly warned Western countries not to interfere in its war on Ukraine, and has hinted at the possibility of using nuclear weapons if tensions escalate.
After two months of bloody battles in Ukraine, Europeans and some Americans fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin may soon target other countries with lethal weapons.
“In the first weeks of March people were really scared and wanted immediate help,” the magazine quoted Klaus Haglund of Bühler GmbH, a Swiss company that installs and repairs shelters. A huge number of special requests to build new shelters or other repairs since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
In Germany, the only manufacturer of private shelters reported that it had received an unprecedented number of orders since the outbreak of the war.
Mario Peid, chief executive of Germany's BSSD, told local media that the company receives more than 1,000 calls a day, noting that people are terrified and that "it's been like this for six weeks."
The magazine pointed out that the German government announced earlier this month that it would start pumping money to strengthen shelters in the country in anticipation of any war.
"There are now 599 public shelters in Germany, and we are studying if we can develop more of them," German Interior Minister Nancy Wieser said earlier this month.
Newsweek said the German government was working on new projects that would allow underground car parks, subway stations and basements to be converted into potential shelters for use when necessary.