A substation near the lignite‑fired Jänschwalde power plant in Brandenburg was attacked with homemade rockets resembling fireworks, network operator 50Hertz reported. The attack damaged high‑voltage lines, and police confirmed at least one detonation.
The suspected attack on the substation in Turnow-Preilack occurred early Tuesday morning. The Jänschwalde power plant supplies electricity to between 800,000 and 1 million people. According to BILD, investigators believe pyrotechnics may have been involved. Additional unfired rockets were also found at the scene.
Details of the attack and investigation
Shortly before 8:00 a.m., officers received an emergency call: employees reported damage to several overhead lines at the substation. About 40 minutes later, the arriving police confirmed the damage and discovered suspicious objects, prompting the deployment of bomb‑disposal specialists.
Police have not yet officially confirmed that rockets were used. A Brandenburg police spokeswoman said that on Tuesday morning, several so‑called improvised incendiary and explosive devices were found on the premises, not all of which had detonated. She emphasized that the incident is being taken very seriously and that the investigation has been handed over to the state criminal police office (LKA).
Sabotage against energy infrastructure
Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) called the incident a deliberate act of sabotage against energy infrastructure. He said the perpetrators tried to use propellant charges to launch conductive material onto high‑voltage lines, causing short circuits. In two instances they succeeded.
Further devices were also recovered at the scene. Redmann noted that the number of seized incendiary and explosive devices has already reached a two‑digit figure. He warned that the attack could have caused far greater damage. No one was injured, and a large‑scale power outage was avoided.
Nevertheless, authorities assess the incident as a serious attack on critical infrastructure. Who is behind the attack and what the perpetrators’ motive was remains unknown. The investigation is ongoing.
Authorities vow to strengthen infrastructure protection
Brandenburg’s Premier Dietmar Woidke (SPD) strongly condemned the attack. “Anyone who tries to sabotage our critical infrastructure and paralyze public life is attacking all of us,” he said on Tuesday.
The head of government added: “We will not allow criminal intentions to either blackmail or intimidate us.” He said the high frequency of such incidents shows the need to protect critical infrastructure more resolutely.
Source: Bild
