Explosion in Germany’s Cologne, major police operation underway

A major explosion occurred on Monday in Germany’s Cologne city, several media reports said, adding that there were no reports of injuries or loss of lives.
The explosion took place outside a nightclub in Cologne’s Hohenzollernring area at around 5.50 am (local time).
In the explosion, which happened outside the Vanity nightclub, several glass windows were also shattered, and it could likely have harmed more people if it had occurred at a later time, media reports added.
After the blast, the police launched a “major operation” on the Hohenzollernring ring road, advising residents to avoid the area.
“There is a major police operation in the Hohenzollernring area. The Hohenzollernring is closed between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz. Please avoid the area,” the police said in a post on X.
The blast in Cologne came days after police in Germany’s Munich shot at a person who was reportedly carrying firearms, leaving him injured. The incident took place near the Israeli General Consulate in the city.
Earlier last month, at least three people were killed, and several others were injured in Solingen after an unidentified attacker went on a stabbing rampage at a local festival.