An explosion occurred in central Cologne, causing significant damage to at least one building. In response, police launched a "major operation" but stated that they did not suspect terrorism.

According to Reuters, an explosion occurred in the center of Cologne, a city in western Germany, on Monday, media outlets reported. The police stated that a "major police operation" was underway following the incident.

A building was heavily damaged as a result of the explosion.

North Rhine-Westphalia state police said a road between two central locations in Cologne, Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz, was closed, urging citizens to avoid the area. The Hohenzollernring neighborhood, where the explosion took place, is known for its lively nightlife and is filled with bars and restaurants.

A police spokesperson told reporters that there was no evidence to suggest terrorism. However, they declined to comment on whether the explosion might be related to a series of similar incidents linked to organized crime across the state in recent months.

Authorities said that one person sustained minor injuries in the explosion. They added that they were in the process of reviewing surveillance footage from the area in an effort to determine the events that led up to the incident.

A spokesman from the fire department said that they were called to the scene but found no need for extinguishing work.

Later on Monday morning, police wrote on the social media platform X that the road had been reopened, but they did not provide any further information regarding the cause of the explosion, which occurred outside a nightclub.