Berlin, January 30 (RHC)-- Unknown attackers have thrown a hand grenade at a shelter for asylum seekers in southern Germany, in the latest anti-refugee move in the European country.
The attack on Friday in the town of Villingen-Schwenningen caused no injuries as the device did not go off. The grenade, which was full of explosives, was hurled over the fence at the facility at about 1:00 a.m. (0000 GMT). It was not clear if the device was fitted with a detonator.
The shelter, which is home to about 20 residents, was temporarily evacuated. However, they returned to their rooms early in the morning.
The attack promoted German Justice Minister Heiko Maass to promise to take action to crack down on anti-refugee crime. He also said the grenade attack is indicative of a new level of "hate and violence,” adding: "Grenades are already flying toward refugee homes; we can't wait until there is someone dead. We need to do everything we can to ensure xenophobic crimes are more rapidly solved and punished more severely."
Germany has witnessed multiple similar attacks on residences for refugees as the country took in more than one million asylum seekers in 2015. Earlier this month, the Federal Crime Office reported over 170 attacks against refugee shelters last year.
