Forbidden tour of Nazi tunnelsFather and son begin a major operation in the concentration camp tunnels – now they are threatened with a huge bill
It is strictly forbidden to enter the tunnels in the former Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp. (symbol image)
image alliance / ZB | Welz Candy
Illicit travel increases.
A father and his son want to go deep under the mountain, into the forbidden tunnels of the Nazis. But their “Lost Places” mission triggers a massive police operation. And in the end, one thing is clear: this adventure will cost them both dearly.
Dangerous tour of concentration camp tunnels
A father and his 19-year-old son travel to Kohnstein in Nordhausen, northern Thuringia – where concentration camp prisoners had to produce weapons for the Nazi regime in inhumane conditions during the Second World War. Passage of the extensive tunnel system at the Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial is strictly prohibited. It is precisely this field that the two want to explore. The 50-year-old man previously told his ex-wife about his plans. When she started to worry and could no longer reach them by phone, she called the police.
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Big operation with dogs and helicopters
Since officials had to assume that there was grave danger to life and limb, a massive search for missing persons began. A human detection dog combed the terrain on the mountain while a police helicopter circled over Nordhausen in search of the two adventurers’ car.
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When father and son realized the enormous effort, they did not react with relief – but hid, apparently out of respect for the view. Only through a relative did they finally give permission over the phone.
Expensive consequences are inevitable
The police found clear words: Not only is this project life-threatening, it is also a classic case of do-it-yourself effort. And it can be expensive: According to the Thuringian Police Duties Act, father and son must cover the costs of the operation themselves, a spokesperson for the situation center told dpa. In addition, both are expected to be charged with violations.
Officials sternly warn copycats: This tunnel is not an adventure playground — and anyone who tries risks not only their lives, but also costly consequences. (No)
Source used: dpa
