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Drone Sighting Forces Two-Hour Flight Suspension at Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport
Air traffic at Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport (BER) was brought to a halt for nearly two hours on Friday evening after an unidentified drone breached the airport’s airspace, prompting police intervention and the diversion of several incoming flights. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which officials say highlights growing security concerns across German skies.
Airport officials confirmed that flight operations were suspended from around 8 p.m. to shortly before 10 p.m. after multiple witnesses, including police officers, reported spotting a drone over the airport’s northern runway. A police helicopter was deployed to search for the unmanned aircraft, but its trail eventually disappeared. The Federal Aviation Office has since joined the investigation, which continued late into the night.
Flights Diverted and Operations Extended
The temporary shutdown forced several aircraft to divert to other German cities. Four flights landed in Dresden, another four in Leipzig, and three in Hamburg. The affected flights included arrivals from Stockholm, Antalya, and Helsinki.
To manage the backlog once the airspace reopened, Brandenburg Airport was granted special authorization to extend its operational hours beyond the usual midnight curfew. Departures were permitted until 1 a.m., and landings continued until 4 a.m. — an exception to Germany’s strict night-flight ban.
“Airport operations started as normal this morning,” an airport spokesperson told local media on Saturday. “There are no longer any restrictions for travellers.”
Security Concerns Raised
The German Airports Association (ADV) described the incident as a “wake-up call in terms of security policy.” Managing Director Ralph Beisel warned that the incident not only disrupted air traffic but also risked undermining public confidence in aviation safety.
“When take-offs and landings are stopped and numerous aircraft have to be diverted, it is not only flight operations that suffer — passenger trust in air safety also takes a hit,” Beisel said. He urged the government to take stronger measures to detect and defend against unauthorized drones.
“Airports must not be left alone here. Drone detection and defence are sovereign state responsibilities and must be strengthened comprehensively,” he added.
Recurring Problem in German Airspace
Drone-related disruptions have become increasingly common in Germany. According to German Air Traffic Control (DFS), Brandenburg Airport has already recorded five such incidents in 2025, compared to more than 15 in 2023 and 20 in 2022. Nationwide, DFS logged 144 drone-related obstructions this year, with 35 near Frankfurt Airport alone.
The drones are frequently spotted near airports, military sites, and transport routes, raising potential espionage concerns. Most sightings are reported by pilots or detected by air traffic controllers, with about 90% occurring around major airports.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has pledged to accelerate efforts to strengthen the country’s drone defence systems by improving coordination between federal and state authorities, advancing new detection technologies, and integrating police and military responses.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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