Police find grenade near synagogue in Vienna

Vienna police have discovered a grenade near a synagogue in the Leopoldstadt district of the Austrian capital, authorities said on January 4.

According to a statement given to the APA (Agence de Presse Africaine) news agency, the explosive device was found in a bag left in the entrance of a residential building opposite the synagogue on Tempelgasse Street.

“The grenade was secured and removed by the bomb disposal unit for further examination,” Vienna police said.

The bag containing the grenade was reportedly discovered by an employee of the synagogue, who immediately alerted the police. Explosive ordnance specialists were dispatched to the scene and carried out the safe removal of the device.

Police said an investigation is underway, including efforts to determine whether the grenade dates back to the period of the Second World War. No threats had been made against synagogue staff prior to the incident, and no notes or other indications explaining the placement of the grenade were found.