A hostage taker’s drive onto the apron at Hamburg airport has revealed a security gap. Now the access roads should be better secured. What exactly is planned?
Two days after a hostage taker drove to Hamburg Airport, airport boss Michael Eggenschwiler announced structural measures to improve security. “It is clear to us that we will implement further structural measures to strengthen possible access points to the security area,” said Eggenschwiler.
Safety technicians had already carried out the first checks on Sunday. He could not go into the details of the planned arrangements. A security concept should not be discussed in the general public. The measures should be implemented as quickly as possible but also very thoroughly.
“There are new risks and they are causing us to rethink”
After the intrusion of climate activists last July, the number of patrols on the airport fence has already been increased. Tests were also being carried out with new cameras and fence sensors, said Eggenschwiler. Unauthorized entry into the security area of the airport is always a criminal offense, emphasized Eggenschwiler. At the same time, he admitted: “There are new risks and they are making us rethink.” This is done in close coordination with the responsible authorities.
On Saturday, a 35-year-old broke the access restrictions to Hamburg Airport with a car. With his four-year-old daughter in the car, he drove to the airport apron. Only after around 18 hours of negotiations did the hostage taker surrender to the security forces. An arrest warrant was issued on Monday evening.
Union calls for more protection for airports
The Union faction in the Bundestag called for better protection for German airports. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) must carefully check whether the legal requirements for airport security are still up to date, said Union parliamentary group vice-president Andrea Lindholz (CSU) to the Editorial Network Germany (RND). When it comes to security standards, Germany “cannot continue to be naïve about the world,” emphasized her party colleague and interior expert from the Union faction, Alexander Throm. Airport boss Eggenschwiler was open to new federal security requirements: “If that comes, it is completely clear that we will implement such measures in addition to what we are already doing.”
When asked, Eggenschwiler explained that at the north gate through which the hostage-taker had driven onto the airport grounds, the exit was secured by three barriers that were intended to prevent unauthorized entry. The gate is now completely closed and can be opened manually if necessary. The barriers should allow security forces to move in and out quickly.
Source: Stern
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