Three people have been injured after a letter or parcel bomb apparently exploded at the German headquarters of the discount supermarket Lidl. Police are investigating a potential link with a similar case earlier this week. 

Three injured in blast at Lidl HQ in Neckarsulm

An explosion occurred at an administrative building belonging to the supermarket chain Lidl in Neckarsulm, a town in southwestern Germany, shortly before 2 pm on Wednesday, injuring three people. “Based on the current status of the investigation, a letter exploded inside the building,” police later said. 

According to their statement, one person was “moderately wounded” in the incident, while two others suffered only light injuries. All three were taken to hospital while the building’s other 100 occupants were evacuated. 

The blast triggered an emergency response, with firefighters, ambulances and officers from the state’s investigative police force all rushing to the scene. A rescue helicopter was deployed and a sniffer dog was also brought to comb through the building, but no other suspicious items were found.

Police investigating link with another case

Police are now searching for the perpetrator or perpetrators, and investigating a potential link to a similar incident earlier in the week. On Tuesday, there was an explosion at a drinks production plant in Eppelheim, a town close to the city of Heidelberg in Baden-Württemberg - approximately 68 kilometres west of Neckarsulm. Tuesday’s explosion is also believed to have been caused by a parcel bomb. 

“We are deeply shaken by the incident and wish a full and speedy recovery,” Lidl said in a statement.