“Although the information relates to New Year’s Eve, starting tonight we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of visitors to the cathedral on Christmas Eve,” Cologne police chief Michael Esser said in a statement.
After midday mass and “in consultation with the security officer of the cathedral chapter,” the cathedral will be searched with sniffer dogs, police said.
“On Sunday, all visitors will be screened before entering the place of worship,” the statement said. “The police and the cathedral chapter advise people not to carry bags and to arrive early for mass,” the document adds.
The German Diary Image mentioned in the edition online that security services in Austria, Germany and Spain have received indications that an Islamist group is planning several attacks in Europe, possibly on New Year’s Eve and Christmas.
According to the newspaper, Christmas masses in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid could be the target of these attacks.
The newspaper also reports that the first arrests by special forces took place today in Vienna, and one in Germany.
Source: DN
