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OtherArrest warrants issued for two metal thieves over fatal Görlitz house collapse that killed three
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German authorities have issued arrest warrants for a 27-year-old Afghan and a 33-year-old Polish national suspected of causing a house collapse in Görlitz that killed three people. The public prosecutor's office stated the two men were metal thieves who allegedly tampered with gas pipes while searching for scrap metal and bicycles in a Wilhelminian-style villa on May 18. The resulting gas explosion caused the building to collapse, killing two Romanian women and a German-Bulgarian national. Both suspects are already in pre-trial detention for unrelated offenses; the new warrants will take effect if current detention grounds expire. A forensic-psychiatric evaluation has been ordered to assess criminal responsibility. Investigations continue, including a 3D reconstruction of the gas system and microscopic analysis of copper pipes by the Federal Criminal Police Office. The Polish police provided the initial lead in the case.
Source report
Source: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
Two metal thieves are believed to have caused a house to collapse in Görlitz. The public prosecutor's office has issued arrest warrants for an Afghan national and a Polish national, both of whom are already in pre-trial detention.
Suspects and Charges
Following the house collapse in Görlitz that resulted in three fatalities, arrest warrants have been issued against a 27-year-old Afghan and a 33-year-old Polish national. The two men are strongly suspected of having caused a gas explosion in the house in May, the Görlitz public prosecutor's office announced.
The accident on May 18 claimed the lives of two young women from Romania and a German-Bulgarian national.
Cause of Collapse
According to preliminary expert reports currently available, a gas explosion has been confirmed as the cause of the collapse. This evidence enabled the public prosecutor's office to apply for arrest warrants against the two men.
Circumstances of the Incident
Based on the current state of knowledge, the two suspects were in the vicinity of the Wilhelminian-style villa on the afternoon before the collapse, searching for "items worth stealing." The men were reportedly targeting:
- Bicycles
- Scrap metal
- Non-ferrous metals
They are alleged to have damaged or tampered with gas pipes in the house that later collapsed.
Legal Proceedings
The men are already in custody for other matters. According to the public prosecutor's office, the newly issued pre-trial detention warrants will be executed if the reasons for the existing detention cease to apply.
A forensic-psychiatric expert opinion has been commissioned regarding the question of the accused's criminal responsibility. The starting point for the investigations against the two men was information from the Polish police.
Ongoing Investigations
Investigations into the causes of the explosion continue. A 3D reconstruction of the gas system is reportedly in its final stages. The Federal Criminal Police Office is supporting the material investigations, particularly of the copper pipes, using a special microscope.
dpa/sebe
Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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Arrest Warrants Issued for Afghan and Polish Nationals in Fatal Görlitz House Collapse