A suitcase
exploded near a reception centre for migrants in southern Germany, on
Wednesday, but the blast may have been caused by an aerosol can inside
it, and there was no evidence of explosives being involved, police said.
The incident in the Bavarian town of Zirndorf, which occurred at
around 2.15 p.m. local time, sparked jitters following the spate of
violent attacks since July 18 and news of the blast spread rapidly on
social media outlets.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two of the five attacks.
“Up to now, there is no evidence that the suitcase was detonated by
explosives,” a police statement. “At no point were any people
in danger.”
A spray can in the suitcase may have triggered the explosion, causing the suitcase to burst into flames, police said.
Police said they were looking for a man around 30 years of age and a woman of about 25 who may have owned the suitcase.
It comes amid heightened tension between refugees and locals in
Germany due to a huge influx of asylum seekers from Syria and
Afghanistan.
Last Sunday, a 27-year-old Syrian refugee blew himself up outside a
bar in Bavaria in what was described as an attempted Islamist attack
which injured twelve people.