A shipment of German ammunition was reported stolen from a delivery lorry in the eastern town of Burg, according to Germany’s defense ministry. The exact quantity taken was not disclosed by officials, but other sources indicated it could be nearly 20,000 rounds.
The incident allegedly occurred when a driver for a civilian transport company, contracted by the military, left the truck in an unguarded parking lot overnight on November 25. The following day, upon arriving at Clausewitz Barracks, the military found the ammunition missing. An investigation has been initiated in collaboration with police.
Reports from outlets such as Der Spiegel indicated that the shipment contained approximately 10,000 rounds of live ammunition for pistols, 9,900 rounds of blank bullets for assault rifles, and smoke grenades. Authorities have not confirmed any arrests or suspects related to the theft, raising concerns about potential misuse of the lost supplies.
The defense ministry expressed serious concern regarding the incident, emphasizing that such ammunition should not fall into the wrong hands. A key aspect of the ongoing investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the driver’s choice to leave the vehicle unattended in that location. It has been noted that drivers have access to a hotline for assistance and that the armed forces can provide escorts if necessary.
The driver reportedly left the vehicle unattended and spent the night at a nearby hotel, which has raised questions about proper protocols for securing military shipments. This incident adds to a series of similar thefts reported in the Saxony-Anhalt region, including missing ammunition cases noted in Bernburg and Eisleben earlier this year. No direct connections have been established between these incidents.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q5n3x0jn9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss