
A DHL cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing after it collided with an unknown object shortly after takeoff from Leipzig Airport, Germany.
A short time later, police found a drone at the airport, raising suspicions of a connection between the two events.
The German government confirmed the incident, which caused significant disruption to air traffic.
According to authorities, the plane hit an object during its climb, but managed to land safely at Hanover airport. During the inspection, minor damage was found to the front of the plane.
DHL confirmed that an incident had occurred near Leipzig airport and that the case is being investigated by authorities.
Meanwhile, during the night, the presence of a drone near a Ukrainian Antonov transport plane was also reported.
According to German media, citing security sources, the drone was suspected of being equipped with explosives and a detonator.
The German Interior Ministry confirmed that a drone was found at the airport, but did not provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Due to the incident, several flights were diverted, while the airport's southern runway remained closed.
Police used a specialized bomb-disposal robot to examine the drone and are investigating whether it is linked to the plane crash.
In recent years, Germany and other European countries have faced numerous cases of unauthorized drone flights near airports, military bases, and strategic facilities.
German authorities have previously accused Russia of a campaign of sabotage and espionage, accusations that Moscow has repeatedly denied.