MojNews-About ۵۰,۰۰۰ protective face masks have been stolen from a hospital warehouse in the northwestern German city of Cologne , local media reported on Tuesday.

Police confirmed the incident, saying they were informed by an employee on Monday who had noticed the theft at the warehouse, which was used as a logistics center for several hospitals in the city.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident, but no arrests have been made.

Cologne’s coronavirus crisis committee has ordered hospitals to check their stocks and secure the face masks and other protective equipment amid a coronavirus-inspired shortage.

The rapid spread of coronavirus has led to a global run on sales of face masks, with prices soaring on internet commerce sites.