A 27-year-old Polish man and a 33-year-old Afghan national are under investigation following a deadly explosion in Görlitz on May 18 that claimed three lives and caused a building collapse.
The Incident and Police Findings
On the afternoon of May 18, 27-year-old Polish national Bartosz K. and 33-year-old Afghan national Zolmai K. were seen collecting scrap metal in Görlitz. Police report the pair checked various residential entryways for access to hallways or basements, including the building at James-von-Moltke-Straße 21.
The investigation into what occurred inside the property after their entry is ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest the men may have damaged gas supply lines prior to the building’s collapse.
Casualties and Current Status of Suspects
The explosion resulted in the deaths of three individuals: two Romanian tourists, aged 25 and 26, and a 48-year-old Bulgarian man who also held German citizenship. German police confirmed that both suspects are currently in custody in connection with an unrelated legal matter.
Public Appeal for Information
Authorities have requested that the public, particularly tourists who visited the city on the day of the incident, come forward with any relevant information. This includes witnesses who saw the men near the building or had contact with them in the days following the blast.
The police and public prosecutor’s office have offered a 5,000 euro reward for information leading to the resolution of the crime and the conviction of the perpetrators.
