Two predawn explosions rocked the area around the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, causing concern but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incidents led to the nearby Jewish school closing for the day as a precautionary measure, according to reports via the AP news wire.
Authorities in the Danish capital confirmed the explosions took place on Wednesday, prompting an immediate investigation into the circumstances. The police refrained from disclosing whether there was a direct connection between the blasts and the Israeli diplomatic mission, which is situated close to several other embassies. They also did not confirm any arrests made in connection to the explosions.
Police presence was heightened in the area, with heavily armed officers, search dogs, and forensic teams actively examining the scene which had been cordoned off following the explosions. In light of the events, the Jewish school, Carolineskolen, situated near the embassy, was already scheduled to be closed for the Jewish New Year holidays on Thursday and Friday, as confirmed by Michael Rachlin, a spokesperson for Denmark’s Jewish community.
As a proactive measure, extra security measures were announced for the main synagogue in downtown Copenhagen by the Jewish community. Henrik Goldstein, the community chairman, urged vigilance and caution among individuals in public spaces and discouraged spreading unverified information on social media. Despite the incidents, he stressed that there was no need to avoid participating in Jewish activities.
Details regarding the nature and impact of the explosions remained undisclosed by the authorities. This incident followed another security scare near the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm the night before, where reported gunshots were later confirmed to have hit the embassy building. No suspects have been apprehended in that case either.
Concerns have been raised over potential security threats, and authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of the communities involved.