Briefing
On Sunday, 1 November 2026, six people in Speyer occupied a vacant residential building near the Memorial Church and set off pyrotechnic devices inside. Police said they were initially alerted to a suspected burglary. At the scene, officers found that several people had entered the building and barricaded themselves inside.
According to the police report, flares and smoke canisters were set off in the house. When the occupants ignored an instruction to leave, the fire brigade opened access. During the subsequent search, officers found all six people in the attic ; they were escorted out of the house and taken into custody. Police gave no details of any injuries.
The Rheinpfalz Police Headquarters is investigating suspected trespass and criminal damage, as well as suspected offences under the Explosives Act. On Sunday evening, no specific information was yet available about the extent or nature of any damage. The authorities also initially declined to comment on who owns the property in question.
Police said the suspects were aged between 18 and 31. Further details, such as the planning and motive for the action or any possible people who supported it, are part of the ongoing investigation. It is not yet clear whether there will be criminal or regulatory proceedings; no information was initially available on whether prosecutors had opened a case.
Setting off flares and smoke canisters indoors is considered particularly risky because of the risk of fire and smoke. Police collected evidence at the scene and documented the condition of the house. Anyone who witnessed anything was asked to come forward.
The operation took place right next to the Memorial Church in central Speyer and involved the fire service as well as the police. According to the information available so far, there was no need to establish a larger public safety cordon. The situation was resolved once the attic had been cleared, while further searches continued.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).