Berlin Power Substation Set Ablaze After Wave of Sabotage Attempts in Germany

A fire damaged part of a power substation in central Berlin early Monday, prompting police to investigate whether Germany’s electricity network had been targeted again.

The blaze also damaged a construction site, according to Berlin police, which reported the incident on its WhatsApp channel. The damage to the substation was slight, and power supplies were not interrupted.

Police are working with the grid operator to determine whether the fire resulted from a criminal act or a technical fault. The investigation comes amid heightened concern over attacks and attempted sabotage against Germany’s power infrastructure. Authorities have attributed some incidents to left-wing or environmental activists and others to Russia.

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part of the electrical substation

In recent days, electrical facilities were targeted in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. German authorities suspect a 48-year-old man described as an “extremist” climate activist in connection with those incidents. Police said he sent two letters claiming responsibility to media outlets.

Authorities are also investigating two suspected sabotage attempts in Saxony after homemade explosive devices were found near high-voltage lines. Germany has faced repeated attacks on critical infrastructure in recent months. On January 3, an arson attack claimed by the group Vulkangruppe, or “Volcano Group,” left more than 100,000 people in Berlin without power. The investigation has made little progress, while the latest incidents have intensified vigilance over infrastructure already affected by Berlin’s accusations of Russian sabotage and espionage since the start of the war in Ukraine.

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extremist