The disappearance of six million face masks belonging to the German army during transit through Kenya has been confirmed by the defence ministry in Berlin on Tuesday, March 24. The shipment, originally intended to arrive in Germany on March 20, was laden with protective gear, though the reason for its transit via Kenya remains unclear.
The German army, which typically faces equipment shortages and breakdowns, has been providing logistical support to the health ministry during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. News weekly Der Spiegel reported that the missing masks were intended to bolster Germany’s health system in its battle against the pandemic. The defence ministry spokesperson affirmed that the government would not incur a financial loss due to the disappearance, as payment for the masks was due upon delivery.
The Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s disease control authority, revealed on Tuesday, March 24, that the country had recorded 27,436 confirmed virus infections, marking an increase of nearly 5,000 from the previous day’s tally. The mystery of the missing shipment of protective equipment, which meets the FFP2 standard for protection against particles and aerosols, continues to be investigated.