Because of a possible threat, the police cleared all Christmas markets in downtown Düsseldorf on Monday afternoon. A police spokesman for Düsseldorf said there was an "abstract threat from outside" against the markets. The police have therefore decided to close the markets to be on the safe side. "Safety must come first." However, there is no acute danger, the spokesman emphasized.

The clearing of the markets went off without any problems. The police are on site. All Christmas markets in downtown Düsseldorf are affected. The spokesman for the emergency services initially did not provide any further information on the type of threat received on Monday afternoon.