On the night of 7-8 February, unknown perpetrators attacked two churches in Hamburg, causing serious damage at both locations. Stones and pyrotechnics were used to vandalise the religious buildings. Police are now investigating whether the incidents are connected.
The first attack was on a Lutheran church in Ottensen (Kreuzkirche). Several windows were smashed with stones and some furniture inside the church was also damaged.
Later that night, the Russian Orthodox Church on Tchaikovsky Square was also attacked. Residents heard loud bangs and saw a man lighting pyrotechnics against the sacred building. The force of the explosions also severely damaged several windows.