German police have cordoned off the surrounding area, with local media suggesting the blast might have occurred at Vanity Club
German authorities have sealed off downtown Cologne following reports of an explosion. Officials have requested drivers to avoid the area in a post on X (formerly Twitter). As of now, authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the nature of the blast or any potential casualties.
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper initially speculated that the incident might have taken place at Vanity Club.
A reporter at the scene informed colleagues that the blast apparently occurred outside a shopping mall and the aforementioned nightclub.
T-online media outlet quoted a police spokesperson as stating that the explosion happened around 6am outside an unidentified building.
Radio Köln, in turn, reported that one individual sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident and was transported to the hospital. The explosion is also said to have caused a fire, which had been extinguished by the time firefighters arrived.
In their message on X, police have indicated that they will provide further details later as the investigation at the site is ongoing.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW…