Munich airport closes after the drones spotted nearby

German Munich Airport has canceled more than a dozen flights after drones were seen near its airspace.

At least 17 flights were anchored in Munich, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers.

Munich airport said that it had diverted 15 other flights to neighboring cities.

There was no immediate confirmation where drones came. Several airports across Europe have closed in recent weeks due to unidentified drones.

Munich airport alerted the authorities after detecting drones.

The flights out of Munich airport was “suspended,” said the airport.

Air traffic control has redirected thefts that were to terror in Munich to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienne and Frankfurt.

Because it was dark, no information on the type, size or origins of drones has been confirmed, said Federal Police spokesman Stefan Bayer, in the Bild newspaper. The drones were seen for the first time at 9:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT), then another hour later, police said.

The BBC contacted the Bavarian state police and the German federal police.

Recent drone observations across the European Union have caused a summit of leaders in Copenhagen this week.

20 Russian drones crossed in Poland and Russian MiG-31 jets entered the Estonian airspace in distinct recent incidents.

Copenhagen and Oslo airports were forced to close after unidentified drones were spotted near the airport and military air spaces.

Russia denied any involvement, while the Danish authorities say that there was no evidence that Moscow was involved.

Addressing a summit in the city of the Black Sea of ​​Sochi on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin laughed at suggestions which he ordered from drones in Denmark.

“I will not do it again. I will not do it again – not in France or in Denmark or Copenhagen,” said Putin.

Thousands of passengers were blocked at Munich airport overnight.

“Camp beds have been installed and covers, drinks and snacks have been provided,” said the airport.

The city is currently hosting the Oktoberfest annual festival, which is expected to end on October 5. The festival attracts more than six million people a year, according to the official website.