With several countries suspending cargo flights from Yemen, Germany on Monday extended the ban to passenger flights after two explosive devices were found aboard a U.S.-bound cargo plane in England and a FedEx facility in Dubai.
“The German government has ordered a stop to freight to Germany from Yemen until further notice,” Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told German broadcaster MDR on Sunday evening. “This is a joint action with the United States, Great Britain and France.”
The ban applies to all packages from Yemen which are either passing through or reloaded in Germany as well as the cargo transported within this country by road or by rail.
On Monday, a ministry spokesman informed of the extension to increase its security measures, saying that all Yemeni air companies that fly to Germany have received a flight ban.
“The German air authorities have orders to turn back all direct and indirect flights from Yemen. That means that for the time being, there will be no flights to or over German territory allowed,” the spokesman said.
The incident, believed to be an attempted terrorist attack, began on early Friday morning (European time) when a UPS cargo plane landed at East Midlands Airport from Yemen en-route to Chicago via Philadelphia. It landed in England as part of a routine stop over.
Scotland Yard said the cargo was removed from the aircraft and examined by explosives officers, after which they were sent for additional scientific examination. U.S. officials confirmed the package contained explosive materials.
A second bomb, also originating from Yemen and en-route to Chicago, was found at a FedEx facility in Dubai. “In cooperation with the FBI, local authorities have confiscated a suspicious package at the FedEx facility in Dubai,” said Maury Lane, a spokesman for FedEx.
