Bochum Christmas Market Closed After Major Security Breach

Over 70 anti-terror barriers were deliberately damaged, prompting police investigations and a temporary halt to market operations.

The Bochum Christmas Market was closed on Tuesday after widespread damage to mobile water-filled anti-terror barriers was discovered overnight.
More than 70 of the 1500-liter barriers, which are used to block vehicle access to the market, were punctured, causing them to lose their effectiveness.
The damage was first identified by the market's security team during routine checks and later confirmed by police, who have launched an investigation into the vandalism.
Authorities, including the city, police, and fire department, determined that the market could not safely operate without the barriers in place, leading to the closure.
Efforts are underway to restore the security measures and reopen the market as soon as possible, though no timeline has been confirmed.