German police are investigating a nighttime fire at an electrical substation in central Berlin, on the west of Germany discovered a cut fence at a substation, according to reporting by the tabloid Bild. Germany recorded several attacks on electricity substations last week that authorities are investigating as sabotage.
Berlin Substation Fire and Wesel Fence Breach
A fire broke out at a construction site in central Berlin, not far from Potsdamer Platz. It spread to the electrical substation, but electricity supplies were not disrupted. The cause of the fire is not yet clear. Already on Sunday evening, police discovered a cut security fence at a substation in the city of Wesel in the western German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Details on these cases are not yet available, but media are speculating about a connection with several cases of sabotage on electrical stations from last week.
Prior Attacks Across Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony
On Tuesday, a substation near the Jänschwalde power plant in Brandenburg became the target of sabotage, followed by attacks on electrical stations in Bergheim and Dormagen in western Germany. A total of 12 explosive devices, which according to police were intended to cause a short circuit, were also found by investigators in two places in eastern Saxony.
Man Hunt and Climate Extremism Classifications
In this context, police are searching for a 48-year-old man, Daniel V. from Gevelsberg in western Germany, whom Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described as a climate activist. He described the attacks on the electrical substations as an expression of “climate extremism”. On Sunday, police carried out a major raid near Cologne, but found no one.
Did you know? A total of 12 explosive devices, which according to police were intended to cause a short circuit, were also found by investigators in two places in eastern Saxony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Berlin substation fire?
A fire broke out at a construction site in central Berlin, not far from Potsdamer Platz, and spread to the substation, but the cause of the fire is not yet clear.
Who are authorities searching for in connection with the grid attacks?
Police are searching for a 48-year-old man, Daniel V. from Gevelsberg in western Germany, who claimed responsibility for the acts in letters, whom Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described as a climate activist.
Were power supplies disrupted by the Berlin fire?
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