Violent explosion in Cologne restaurant: Drug war in focus!

Violent explosion in Cologne restaurant: Drug war in focus!

In the early morning of June 20, 2025, there was a violent explosion in a restaurant in Cologne-Kalk. At around 4:30 a.m., an unknown explosive charge detonated in the entrance area of ​​the restaurant on the corner of Deutz-Kalker Straße/Deutzer Ring. The force of the explosion was so strong that window panes were mostly torn and chairs were thrown to the sidewalk. However, luck was on the residents' side, because at the time of the explosion there were no guests in the restaurant.

The police have initiated immediate investigations. There is a clear suspicion: a connection with a drug war could be behind the crime. According to wa.de, the son of the restaurant owner is said to act as the founder of a drug gang that is active on a large scale. The origin of the conflict is attributed to the theft of 350 kilograms of marijuana.

motif and background

The public prosecutor examines several theories on the motives of the explosion. One of the possible backgrounds could be connected to violent clashes around drug deals from last year. This theory is increasingly being taken seriously, especially in view of similar incidents that have recently taken place in the intimidation of members of drug crime. According to WDR everything indicates that the explosion has been deliberately brought about. The spokesman for the Cologne public prosecutor did not rule out that ongoing processes could play a role in front of the Cologne district court.

A picture of drug crime in Germany shows that this area is a serious social problem. In 2023, around 347,000 cases of drug crime were recorded by the police, which corresponds to an increase of 2 percent compared to the previous year. Cannabis, which has been partially legalized since April 2024, has the largest proportion of this. Nevertheless, illegal drug trafficking remains a shadow that floats over society, and the number of drug deaths in Germany rose to around 2.230 in 2023, as can be seen from Statista.

escape and search

The investigators have already targeted several information and people. Witnesses reported two people who fled the Deutz University of Technology immediately after the explosion. The police published photos and videos of the suspects and calls the public for help. A comprehensive barrier was built in the area around the site and the evidence is in full swing.

The Situation remains tense. Investigations and the search for other participants are underway. The authorities ask everyone who can provide information on the explosion or the fleeting persons to report to the police by phone or email. In this critical situation, it can only be hoped that those responsible will be quickly caught and that security in the quarter will be restored.