Mechernich residents rush to buy water amid sabotage fears

Residents of the German town of Mechernich purchase water from stores en masse. Despite tests showing that tap water is drinkable, the community panicked and started stockpiling.

On Thursday evening, it was discovered that the fence around the municipal water system had been damaged. There was suspicion of an attempted sabotage similar to what occurred with the water system at the military base in Cologne.

Relevant services quickly took action: Special ATF teams from Essen and Dortmund were sent to analyse the water. Their work brought good news in the morning—the water was not contaminated.

Despite this, city authorities decided to introduce additional precautionary measures. An announcement was published on the city's website about the possibility of using water for washing and bathing, and it was recommended that water be boiled before consumption.

These preventive measures sparked concerns among many people, who, wanting to ensure the safety of themselves and their families, are stockpiling bottled water.

One supermarket customer told the newspaper "Bild" that she bought large quantities of water and food to maintain hygiene and feed her family amid uncertainty about tap water quality.

Others shared similar sentiments, deciding to purchase supplies of water and food to ensure the daily comfort of their loved ones.