Berlin: German authorities have launched an investigation after an airport employee discovered a drone carrying an explosive device near the south runway of Leipzig/Halle Airport, prompting security concerns and temporary flight disruptions.

The drone was found shortly after both runways at the major cargo hub were closed late Tuesday following reports of a flying object near the airport. An explosives-disposal robot was deployed to examine the object, and investigators later confirmed that its detonator had been safely removed.

Regional police and prosecutors said the drone was carrying "an unknown explosive device", which was secured after bomb disposal experts examined it.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who cut short his vacation to visit the airport, described the incident as an unprecedented escalation.

"That the drone was carrying explosives is a new quality of danger."

He said authorities were familiar with drone-related security threats but stressed that the latest incident represented a far more serious challenge.

"Drone sightings, drone threats including in a hybrid context, are something we know from the past."

"That a drone armed with explosives is at an airport is a new threat scenario."

Dobrindt also described the incident as "a hybrid attack scenario," but declined to comment on who might be responsible, saying investigators were still examining the origin of the drone, the type of explosives used and those behind the operation.

Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster said authorities were also searching for parts of a possible second drone.

Police said another flying object apparently struck a cargo aircraft after it aborted its landing because one runway had been closed. The aircraft diverted to Hannover Airport, where inspectors found minor damage.

The north runway reopened after about two hours, while the south runway remained closed for scheduled maintenance on Wednesday. Officials said passengers and airport staff were never in immediate danger, and daytime flight operations were not significantly affected.

Photographs from the scene showed bomb disposal teams working near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft parked at the airport, one of Europe's busiest freight hubs.

The incident comes nearly two years after an incendiary device ignited inside a freight container at Leipzig/Halle Airport in 2024. Western intelligence agencies have previously linked that sabotage attempt to operatives allegedly backed by Russian intelligence as part of a wider campaign targeting European infrastructure.

NATO acknowledged it was aware of the latest incident but referred all questions to German authorities.