Köln Christmas Markets Evacuated After Suspicious Sand-Filled Suitcases Found

Two consecutive bomb scares at Christmas markets in Cologne prompted evacuations, but police discovered the suitcases only contained sand.

Police evacuated Christmas markets at Rudolfplatz on Saturday and Heumarkt on Sunday after finding abandoned suitcases.
Both suitcases were examined by bomb disposal teams and found to contain only bags of sand, posing no actual threat.
Authorities are investigating the incidents as potential disruptions of public peace and are analyzing the suitcases for fingerprints and other evidence.
The two cases are believed to be connected due to their similarities, though the motive remains unclear, ranging from a prank to a possible test of police response.
Heightened security measures are in place at Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia, though officials report no specific threats of attacks.