German police are conducting a large-scale manhunt following a spectacular prisoner escape in Passau. The man, who was in pre-trial detention, managed to flee from officers immediately after court proceedings concluded. Despite the deployment of numerous patrols, tracking dogs, and aerial support, the search for the fugitive has entered its second day, and authorities are analyzing the incident for potential security procedure failures.
Escape After Court
The detainee escaped from guards immediately after a court hearing in Passau, exploiting a moment of inattention or a procedural error.
Massive Manhunt
The search operation involves helicopters, tracking dogs, and numerous police patrols from across Bavaria.
Search Ongoing
Despite intensive operations launched on February 27, the man remains at large (as of the evening of February 28).
In Passau, a city located in southeastern Bavaria, a rare incident compromising public security has occurred. A man held in pre-trial detention managed to escape from guards right after a court hearing ended. This event triggered an immediate alarm procedure, known in German services as Großeinsatz. Initial reports of the escape emerged on the afternoon of February 27, and intensive search operations continued throughout Saturday, February 28. Police have not yet disclosed the fugitive's detailed identity or the nature of the charges against him, which is standard procedure in the early stages of an investigation. The search operation is focused on the Passau area and border regions, taking into account the proximity to the Austrian border. Dozens of patrol cars, police helicopters equipped with thermal imaging cameras, and specialized units with tracking dogs have been deployed. Officers are checking train stations, major transport routes, and potential hiding spots in the densely built-up city center. Investigators are analyzing footage from city surveillance cameras to reconstruct the man's escape route. Questions are arising about how such a serious breach of supervision rules occurred, especially given that the detainee was under the constant care of prison service or police officers. Penitentiary systems in Germany are decentralized and fall under the jurisdiction of the federal states, meaning security in Bavarian facilities is the responsibility of the local Ministry of Justice. Escapes from transports or after court hearings are statistically rare due to strict handcuffing procedures.The situation in the city remains tense, and police are urging residents to exercise caution and not attempt to apprehend the wanted individual themselves. National media outlets such as Die Welt and Zeit Online are following the progress of the manhunt, highlighting the pressure Bavarian officials are under. If the search yields no results in the coming hours, the issuance of a European arrest warrant is likely. The current priority is securing biological evidence and interviewing witnesses who may have seen the moment of escape or the direction in which the suspect fled. „Die Fahndung läuft mit Hochdruck. Wir setzen alle verfügbaren Mittel ein, um den Flüchtigen so schnell wie möglich festzunehmen.” (The manhunt is proceeding at full pressure. We are deploying all available means to apprehend the fugitive as quickly as possible.) — Police spokesperson in Passau