Islamists suspected of belonging to so-called Islamic State (IS) have used social networks to call for attacks — including on Cologne'sCarnival celebration, which kicks off with Fat Thursday (Wieberfastnacht). They named specific locations within Cologne, a city in western Germany with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Police spokespeople say those threats are primarily aimed at unsettling the population. Authorities have also announced, however, that security forces will be even more present than past years, which had already seen boosted numbers.

One of the internet threats specifically refers to the day the street carnival kicks off, reading: "Cologne Carnival February 27 Alter Markt."

The Alter Markt is the hotspot for party-loving carnival-goers.

The entire six-day festival traditionally sees hundreds of thousands of people, many dressed in costumes, celebrating on packed Cologne........

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