Afghan Suspect Behind Görlitz House Explosion That Killed Three

German authorities investigating a deadly house explosion in the Saxon city of Görlitz have released new details about two suspects believed to be connected to the blast that killed three people in May.

According to Junge Freiheit, police and prosecutors revealed that one of the men, 27-year-old Afghan national Zolmai K., was allegedly seen cycling through the city shortly after the multi-family building collapsed.

The explosion occurred in mid-May in a residential building in Görlitz. Three people died in the incident, and rescue teams spent days searching through the rubble for victims. Investigators have since ruled out an accidental cause.

Two Suspects Already in Custody on Separate Charges

Police and prosecutors are now pursuing charges of causing a fatal explosive detonation in conjunction with negligent homicide. Alongside Zolmai K., a 33-year-old Polish national Bartosz K. is also under suspicion in connection with the explosion.

Both men are already in pre-trial detention on unrelated charges. According to investigators, the suspects were in the vicinity of the building on the day of the explosion. Authorities believe they were searching for items to steal, including bicycles, scrap metal, and non-ferrous metals.

Suspects Allegedly Damaged Gas Lines While Stealing Copper

Investigators believe the men broke into the building and damaged piping during their intrusion. They may have been attempting to steal copper. The exact sequence of events after they entered the building remains under investigation, and police are appealing to witnesses for information.

Newly released images show a man believed to be Zolmai K. riding a bicycle with a bicycle lock worn around his neck. He was reportedly wearing a black quilted jacket, white and blue Puma shoes, and a black baseball cap. A visible scar on the left rear of his head was partially concealed by the cap. In some images he wore glasses, in others he did not.

Police Offer Reward for Information

Police also released a description of Bartosz K., who allegedly wore a black baseball cap featuring a yellow lion’s head and the inscription “Holtendorfer Spielvereinigung e.V.” on the day of the incident.

Authorities believe the suspects may have attempted to flee toward Poland. Görlitz was divided after World War II, with the Polish city of Zgorzelec now situated across the Neisse River. A reward of 5,000 euros has been offered for information leading to the resolution of the case.

With information from Junge Freiheit