Environmental offense: Health-hazardous construction debris discovered on field path

Authorities are investigating an environmental crime after hazardous construction debris was discovered illegally dumped on a field path near Bad Frankenhausen in the Kyffhäuser district. The Kriminalpolizei (criminal police) is seeking witnesses to help identify those responsible for the pollution.

Investigators believe the debris was spread along a roughly 1.6-kilometer stretch of the Unstrut-Werra cycle path sometime in May 2025. The perpetrators acted without the property owner's permission. Subsequent analyses confirmed that the construction waste contained health-hazardous substances, which have since contaminated the soil.

The contamination necessitates an extensive and costly remediation of the field path. Police estimate that the cleanup expenses will be substantial. The operation likely involved heavy construction machinery and trucks, suggesting a significant scale of illegal dumping.

Authorities are appealing to the public for any information regarding suspicious activities, particularly observations of work being carried out on the path or details about the vehicles used. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the criminal police to assist in their investigation into this environmental damage.