German police say probe of suspected explosive device on rail tracks underway

FRANKFURT, Aug 13 - German police said on Thursday they were evacuating buildings near a potentially explosive object found on rail tracks in the Bavarian town of Treuchtlingen for the item to be moved safely.

Bavarian police said on X that some buildings close by were being cleared as a precaution, and a spokesperson added that two to three houses are being evacuated so that the object can be moved.

Experts are analysing X-ray images they have taken of the object that was found in the southern part of the Bavarian city and the public have been urged to steer clear of the area, which has been cordoned off, police also said on X.

"The object is currently being lifted by a robot so that further examinations can be conducted," it said.

According to Bild newspaper, the object is described as an elongated metal object, though the publication did not provide a source for this information.

German authorities have been on edge for more than a week over an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport in eastern Germany, where an unmanned aerial device loaded with explosives was found near a runway.

Treuchtlingen is a city with a population of around 12,000 people, located 150 kilometres (93 miles) northwest of Munich. REUTERS