Police Investigate Explosion in Vlotho Sewer System

A powerful blast caused manhole covers to lift and windows to shake, with evidence suggesting it may have been intentional.

An explosion occurred in the sewer system of Vlotho, near a school, on Friday evening at approximately 7:30 PM.
The blast caused manhole covers to fly into the air over several hundred meters and shook nearby windows, but no injuries were reported.
Authorities have ruled out a gas leak as the cause, with extended measurements showing no gas concentrations in the area.
Investigators discovered damage and soot marks on a concrete shaft in a nearby forest, and a witness reported seeing a flash of flame.
Police suspect the explosion may have been deliberate and are continuing their investigation, with firefighters deploying around 50 personnel and specialized equipment to the scene.