Germany suspects a third attempted sabotage at an electrical substation
In the German town of Dormagen, located between Cologne and Düsseldorf, a passerby discovered a suspicious object near an electrical substation. Police are treating the incident as a possible third attempt at sabotage at an energy facility.
Following the discovery of the suspicious object at the substation in Dormagen, police are leaning toward the theory that it was an attempted act of sabotage. “Someone apparently tried to deliberately cause a short circuit,” a Cologne police spokesperson said early Friday morning.
As investigators explained, they received a letter claiming responsibility. However, no further details regarding its content have been released.
It also remains unclear exactly what the passerby discovered. A police spokesperson in Neuss stated that it could be an explosive device. However, experts must first examine the object to determine whether it was capable of causing damage to the substation.
Two days ago, an incident occurred at a substation in Bergheim, west of Cologne. Several detonators were discovered there. A similar incident took place in Brandenburg. Investigators believe that both cases were acts of unconstitutional sabotage.
Following the malfunction at the substation in Bergheim, investigators found six launch devices in a field. Lead investigator Michael Esser stated that these devices were presumably intended to launch a wire over power lines using pyrotechnic means.
The wire likely became entangled in a power line, causing a short circuit. The wire used in this process overheated and damaged a fence, Esser added. Witnesses reported seeing brief flashes of light. The lead investigator described the incident as an “attack.” Investigators are analyzing cell phone data and DNA evidence recovered from the detonators. A tip line has also been set up. Esser added that the detonators may have been planted “some time ago.”
“This wasn’t a broken switch; it was done on purpose. Whoever is behind this is attacking our country,” said Herbert Roel, Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia.
This was reported by Spiegel.
Germany will step up pressure on Russia and increase support for Ukraine.
Germany will terminate the agreement governing the operation of the Russian House in Berlin.
Germany has reacted to Russia’s closure of the Goethe-Institut.
