‘Lucky Coincidence’ Thwarts Alleged Russian Attack on DHL Flight

Parcel caught fire on the ground shortly before it was to be loaded on an aircraft in Germany.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 02:34 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A DHL 777F in Everett, Wash. [Credit: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera]

Key Takeaways:

German intelligence officials suspect Russia was behind an incendiary device that nearly caused a serious aircraft accident on a DHL flight in July, averted only when the package ignited on the ground due to a flight delay.
Officials warn that a mid-air ignition could have been catastrophic and note a rise in "aggressive behavior" from Russian intelligence agencies.
A similar incident occurred at a DHL facility in the UK in July, also suspected to be linked to Russia and currently under counterterrorism investigation.
The German government has since warned businesses about the circulation of fire-starting packages within shipping networks following these events.

See a mistake? Contact us.

German intelligence officials are pointing fingers at Russia after what has been described as an incendiary device was nearly planted on a DHL aircraft in July.

During a recent hearing, Thomas Haldenwang, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany, said the country avoided a serious aircraft accident by “only a lucky coincidence.” German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reports the fire-starting parcel was set to be loaded on a DHL flight in Leipzig.