A shipment of German ammunition has been stolen from a delivery lorry in the eastern town of Burg, the country's defence ministry has confirmed. According to reports, approximately 20,000 rounds of ammunition were taken, although specific quantities have not been disclosed by officials.
The theft occurred after the driver for a civilian transport company—a contractor for the military—left his truck parked in an unsecured lot overnight on November 25. Upon arrival at the nearby Clausewitz Barracks the following day, it was discovered that the ammunition was missing. An investigation involving both the army and police has been launched.
German media, including Der Spiegel, reported that the stolen shipment included 10,000 rounds of live ammunition for pistols, nearly 10,000 rounds of blank bullets for assault rifles, and various smoke grenades. Authorities have yet to confirm if any arrests have been made, raising concerns about the potential misuse of the lost supplies.
The defence ministry expressed serious concern, stating, this kind of ammunition must not fall into the wrong hands. A primary focus of the ongoing investigation will be to determine why the driver did not select a secure stopping point given the risks involved.
Reports indicate that drivers have access to a practical hotline for assistance and can request armed escorts during transport. The truck driver reportedly spent the night in a nearby hotel while his vehicle was left unattended, highlighting a lapse in security procedures.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern in the Saxony-Anhalt region, as authorities noted similar ammunition losses earlier this year—90 rounds in Bernburg and 180 rounds in Eisleben—though no connections have been established between these cases.
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