Explosive-laden drone defused at Leipzig airport

German federal police specialists have defused a drone carrying an explosive device after an overnight security incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Officials said the detonator has been removed from an as-yet unidentified explosive device. Authorities say they are not ruling out a political motive, noting that the airport in eastern Germany forms part of the country's critical infrastructure.

The drone carrying the explosive device was found late on Wednesday by an airport employee on the southern runway, according to investigators.

Another flying object later apparently collided with a cargo aircraft, which had aborted its landing after the initial alert and had remained in the air.

Minor damage was discovered after the aircraft landed in Hanover.

Flight operations were initially halted completely after the drone was found.

The northern runway was eventually reopened following a large-scale security sweep overnight, while the southern runway was due to remain closed on Wednesday for maintenance.

Investigators said there was no danger to passengers or airport staff and that passenger flights were not affected.