Complete with high-tech equipment – these men defused the bomb in Kalsdorf

Bomb alarm on Friday evening at Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kalsdorf: A package measuring approximately 50x12x12 centimeters was found in the entrance area of ​​the religious community. Memories of last summer immediately came to mind: almost a year ago, two bombs attached to cars exploded during a prayer session.

The area was quickly cordoned off on Friday and about fifty residents were evacuated. Explosives experts and sniffer dogs arrived on the scene – they believed the alleged bomb was suspiciously real. That is why the harmless service was also requested at Cobra’s Graz branch, including high-tech robots.

One for the coarse and one for the fine
The responsible dismantler, Richard Binder, stands in front of two of the robots in question on Sunday afternoon. “One is more of a fine-motor person and the other is a rough type,” he explains. Internally they would also be called “Max” and “Theo”. “Our robots are used very often because we always assume the worst to protect ourselves.”

That was also the case this Friday: when they were warned late in the evening, they drove to the edge of the exclusion zone. Binder and his colleague got behind the wheel of the safe police car while the robots drove towards the house of worship. “It was my job to defuse the package, but I decided to evacuate for the time being,” says Binder. This means: The two harmless devices took the suspicious object to a special truck, where the package was placed in a high-security ball, a so-called explosive suppression system.

The danger was therefore averted for the time being and the residents could breathe a sigh of relief. Was this a routine operation for Binder? “If I had any concerns or fears, I would immediately take off my uniform,” says the veteran expert. After all, he has been doing this job for eighteen years. “I just tell my wife where I’m going, that’s all.”

Binder: “I am not clairvoyant”
The devices cannot always relieve the dismantlers of the dangerous work; “You often have to do it by hand,” says Binder. Then a protective suit weighing 40 kilograms is used. This is to help in an emergency, when your hands need to be left uncovered to work. Binder knows: “I am not clairvoyant, defusing them can always go wrong.”

He is happy that he didn’t have to do anything himself during the operation in Kalsdorf – even though he had to learn how to control the robots. “You have to train for three to four months to use them,” Binder explains, “but then they can replace 60 percent of your hand.” Equipped with cameras, X-ray equipment or angle grinders, the devices can even survive an explosion. They are also used in nuclear stress.

On Easter Sunday, Binder remained tight-lipped about the status of the investigation: “We have already dismantled the bomb, but for tactical reasons we do not want to say anything more about it.” possible perpetrators. “We have already conducted some investigations, but that investigation will certainly take days,” said police spokesman Markus Lamb.

The police remain alert
Investigators still hope that residents or passersby saw suspicious people with a package near the Kingdom Hall in Kalsdorf. Lamb appeals: ‘Don’t hesitate to make observations, we are grateful for any information.’ But no perpetrators could be found in the attack in the summer of 2023.

In addition, the police warn of possible follow-up crimes in the vicinity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our protective measures have been intensified and will remain in effect until further notice,” Lamb said. There are more patrols on the roads and there is personal contact with members of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

According to the religious community, all church services must still take place as planned. Markus Kakavis, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said: “Above all, we as a religious community are pleased that no one was injured and we are grateful that the police are taking this so seriously. We now offer pastoral care to all those affected in our faith community.”