Prisoner escaped: police search with helicopter in Ehrenfeld!

Prisoner escaped: police search with helicopter in Ehrenfeld!

On the night of Wednesday, September 17, 2025, an incident in Cologne caused a stir. A prisoner escaped from the Cologne-Ossendorf correctional facility during a hospital visit. According to the deputy head of the prison, the man was able to unexpectedly escape the moment a door of the support vehicle was opened. This happened even though he was handcuffed and accompanied by two security officers, from whom he successfully broke away. The police reacted immediately to the escape and launched an intensive search in the Ehrenfeld district.

The search was also supported by the use of a police helicopter to conduct a thorough search of the area. So far, however, the prisoner remains untraceable. Authorities said the escaped prisoner poses no major threat to the public, bringing some relief to local residents. Despite this positive assessment, the police remain on duty to locate the man as quickly as possible. To this end, the emergency services work closely together to follow up on all leads and advance the search.

Experiences from other cases

The case in Cologne is reminiscent of a similar situation in Hesse, where a 43-year-old prisoner escaped from a clinic on the night of September 7th. This was able to settle over the roof structure of the specialist clinic on Mönchberg in Hadamar and left behind a sports shoe, which left behind some clues. In this case, too, the public was warned not to contact the fugitive and instead pass on information directly to the police. After a public manhunt, the man was arrested again on September 12th, which shows that such escapes can often be uncovered quickly. The Limburg police department is investigating this case and can be reached at (06431) 9140-0 if you have any information.

Such incidents always raise questions. According to a report from the European Commission, crime rates in Europe are a complex issue influenced by numerous factors. Those interested can find information about this on the European Commission website, where current statistics and analyzes on crime are provided. Even if Cologne is not alone in such cases, the hope remains that the security forces will quickly find the escaped prisoner and thus ensure peace and security in the city.

Citizens are called upon to be vigilant and to react immediately if they suspect anything. Safety and a sense of community are more important than ever, especially in times like these.

KSTA reports that… | FR reports that… | Eurostat information about crime.