Cologne's Resilience: Safe From Terrorism?

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, has experienced several terrorist incidents and plots in recent years, posing a risk of terrorism. In 2004, a neo-Nazi group detonated a nail bomb, injuring 22 people. In 2018, a Syrian refugee took hostages at the central railway station, and the same year, police foiled a plot by an Islamic extremist to use the deadly substance ricin in a terrorist attack. While Cologne has a moderate level of crime, violent crime is rare, and the city is considered relatively safe.

Cologne's terrorism risk is medium

While Cologne is considered a relatively safe city, it is important to acknowledge that the risk of terrorism is always present, and travellers should remain vigilant. In recent years, Germany has been the target of several terrorist attacks and plots, and Cologne itself has experienced such incidents.

In June 2018, German authorities foiled a terrorist plot in Cologne involving the highly toxic substance ricin. The suspect, a Tunisian national named Sief Allah H., was arrested for breaching the war weapons control act. He was found to be in possession of castor beans, from which ricin is derived, and had already produced a significant amount of the poison. This incident highlighted the ongoing threat of bioterrorism in Europe and the critical role of electronic surveillance in detecting and preventing such plots.

Additionally, in October 2018, Cologne experienced a hostage-taking incident at its central railway station. The perpetrator, Mohammed Abo R., a Syrian refugee, set fire to a McDonald's restaurant and then took an employee hostage in an adjacent pharmacy. While the incident was not ultimately linked to terrorism, it caused injuries and disruption.

In 2004, a nail bomb detonated in a business area of Cologne popular with immigrants from Turkey, wounding 22 people. Although initially not considered a terrorist attack, it was later claimed by the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Underground.

While these incidents demonstrate the reality of the terrorism risk in Cologne, it is important to keep this risk in perspective. Travellers should remain vigilant, especially in tourist hotspots and during festivals, but also be aware of other potential dangers such as pickpocketing and river spills.

The 2018 Cologne terrorist plot

On 13 June 2018, German police arrested Sief Allah H., a Tunisian national, in Cologne, foiling a terrorist plot. He was arrested for breaching the Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz (war weapons control act) while manufacturing an explosive device containing the highly toxic substance ricin. Sief Allah H. had migrated to Germany from Tunisia in 2016 and was suspected of travelling to conflict zones and following the Islamic ultra-conservative Salafi ideology.

German security services had been monitoring him for several weeks, suspecting him of ordering suspicious material to build an explosive device. They discovered that he had purchased over a thousand castor beans and an electronic coffee grinder via the internet. Castor beans can be used to produce ricin, a highly toxic biological agent that can be lethal to humans when ingested or introduced to the bloodstream.

During the raid on his apartment, police found 84.3 milligrams of ricin and 3,150 castor beans, as well as bomb-making components. Three mobile phones were also confiscated, containing a large number of images, video and audio files, text and chat messages, and bomb-making manuals. Sief Allah H.'s wife, Yasmin H., a German convert to Islam, was also taken into custody, suspected of helping her husband in the plot.

This case highlighted the threat of bioterrorism in Europe and the importance of electronic surveillance in uncovering plots by radicalised individuals. It also marked the first time a jihadi terrorist in the West had successfully produced ricin, demonstrating the accessibility of instructions for creating biological weapons online.

The 2018 Cologne Attack

In addition to the terrorist plot outlined above, there was also an attack and hostage-taking incident at the central railway station of Cologne on 15 October 2018. The perpetrator, Mohammed Abo R., a 55-year-old Syrian refugee, entered a McDonald's restaurant, drew a pistol, and set the floor on fire using a flammable liquid and a Molotov cocktail. He then fled to an adjacent pharmacy, taking an employee hostage. After a two-hour standoff, during which he attempted to set the hostage on fire, police intervened, shooting and wounding Mohammed Abo R.

Three victims were wounded during the incident, including the hostage and a 14-year-old German girl whose clothes caught fire. They were treated in the hospital and are expected to recover. The perpetrator, Mohammed Abo R., was known to the police with previous charges including drug possession, theft, and fraud. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder, aggravated battery, and hostage-taking.

While terrorism was initially suspected as a motive, the case was ultimately ruled non-terrorism-related, and Mohammed Abo R.'s mental health issues were cited as a factor.

The 2004 Cologne bombing

On 9 June 2004, a nail bomb detonated in Cologne, Germany, in a business area popular with immigrants from Turkey. Twenty-two people were wounded, and four sustained serious injuries. A barber shop was destroyed, and many shops and numerous parked cars were seriously damaged by the explosion and by the nails added to the bomb for extra damage. The bomb, which contained more than 800 nails, was hidden in a travel compartment on a bicycle left in front of the barber shop.

Initially, authorities excluded the possibility of a terrorist attack. However, in November 2011, the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU) claimed responsibility for the bombing. The group's main members, Uwe Böhnhardt, Uwe Mundlos, and Beate Zschäpe, were indicted with other killings and attempts of murder, including the attempted murder of 23 people in the Cologne bombing.

The bombing took place in the bustling Keupstrasse shopping district, a popular area for residents with Turkish roots. The explosion shattered windows, damaged cars, and destroyed shops. Those affected by the bombing still carry the physical and emotional scars today, in part due to how the authorities mishandled the case.

Witnesses who testified were asked if they had been in debt, had insurance, or knew of any "rivalries" in the area. The German Interior Minister, Otto Schily, claimed that the attack was linked to a "criminal environment" and a power struggle between rivals. This statement was met with criticism, as it directed suspicion towards citizens with Turkish and Kurdish backgrounds.

The 2018 Cologne attack

On 15 October 2018, the 2018 Cologne attack took place at the central railway station of Cologne, Germany. At 12:30 German time, 55-year-old Syrian refugee Mohammed Abo R. entered a McDonald's restaurant at the station with a bag and a suitcase. He sat down at a table, drew a pistol, and spilled a flammable liquid on the floor. He then took a Molotov cocktail from his suitcase, ignited it, and set the floor of the restaurant on fire. The fire ignited the clothes of a 14-year-old German girl, who ran out of the restaurant in a panic. Passersby quickly extinguished the flames, but the girl suffered severe burns to her legs.

Surprised by the triggered fire sprinkler system, Mohammed fled the restaurant and, armed with his gun, stormed into an adjacent pharmacy, where he took an employee hostage. At 12:45 German time, the first emergency calls reached the police. The police quickly evacuated the station and cordoned off the surrounding area. On the phone, the perpetrator stated his demands: free passage to Syria, the release of a Tunisian woman, and the return of his suitcase and bag from the McDonald's. He claimed to be a member of ISIL.

A two-hour standoff led to no peaceful solution. Mohammed poured gasoline over his hostage, put a Molotov cocktail in her hand, and a lighter in her mouth. When he tried to set her on fire, the police attacked. At 14:55 German time, a SEK team detonated two stun grenades, stormed the pharmacy, and shot the perpetrator, who was still armed with his pistol. Three police officers fired a total of six rounds at Mohammed, of which several hit his upper body and one hit him in the head. The hostage was carried from the pharmacy and handed over to paramedics. Mohammed was given CPR and his wounds were treated by police medics.

During the incident, a total of three victims were wounded, some of them seriously. The hostage suffered from shock and gasoline poisoning and remained in the clinic until Wednesday. The 14-year-old German girl, Lika M., whose clothes were caught on fire, was seriously injured. 10% of her skin was burned, and she was treated in a children's hospital in Cologne. She underwent eight surgeries and two skin transplants before leaving the hospital in December 2018. Doctors expect her to make a full recovery. The fire department reported another victim who suffered from smoke inhalation but was able to leave the hospital on the same day.

In the McDonald's, the perpetrator's bag and suitcase were examined and declared safe by EOD Operators. Further Molotov cocktails, containers with a flammable liquid, and several IEDs were found in the bags. The IEDs were gas cartridges modified with steel balls for maximum destruction. In the pharmacy, investigators found more containers with flammable liquid and additional IEDs. Furthermore, an airsoft pistol and an identity document were seized.

In the evening of the same day, R.'s apartment was stormed and searched by the police. Large quantities of gasoline and Arabic characters were found in the apartment. The characters are not related to Islamism or ISIL. Multiple electronic devices were seized in the apartment, including two mobile phones. While terrorism was initially considered a possible motive, no evidence of relations between Mohammed Abo R. and terrorism were found. The case was ruled non-terrorism related.

Mohammed Abo R. was known to the police, having been charged 13 times since 2016, including for drug possession, theft, threat, fraud, and trespassing. He was never convicted.

Earlier in 2018, on 13 June, police in Cologne arrested Sief Allah H., a Tunisian national, for manufacturing an explosive device containing the highly toxic substance ricin. He was charged with "planning a serious act of violence against the state" and membership in a terrorist organisation, and in March 2020, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Cologne's safety for women travellers

Cologne is considered a safe city for women to travel to, with a women's safety index of 4.6 out of 5 and a crime rating of 1.7 out of 5. Women living in Cologne also consider it safe, giving it an overall safety rating of 3.9 out of 5. The city is known for its liberal, open-minded, and respectful residents.

However, as with any large city, there are some risks to be aware of. Here are some tips to help ensure your safety when visiting Cologne:

• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, especially in crowded places, tourist spots, and on public transportation. Cologne is known for its pickpockets, and thieves often target distracted travellers.
• Avoid certain areas at night, such as train stations, the Altstadt area, and the square near the station. Well-lit and populated areas are generally safer.
• Stay vigilant when using public transportation, especially late in the evening. Avoid empty compartments, and keep your belongings close.
• Be cautious when visiting popular tourist destinations like the Cologne Cathedral, as these areas can be targets for thieves.
• Avoid getting drunk at nightclubs, and try to stay away from street fights.
• Keep your passport and jewellery in a hotel safe, and don't leave wallets or bags unattended.
• Be cautious of scams and fraud attempts, especially when exchanging money. Use banks or ATMs to avoid scams.
• Be aware of the risk of natural disasters, particularly river spills and flooding in the spring due to snowmelt in the mountains.
• Terrorism is not a significant issue in Cologne, but it is always good to remain vigilant when visiting tourist spots or festivals.

Overall, by staying alert and taking some basic precautions, women can safely enjoy their visit to Cologne. The city has much to offer in terms of culture, cuisine, and sightseeing, and it is worth taking in the views from the top of the Cologne Cathedral. The best times to visit are from May to October, when the weather is pleasant.

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