Germany Finds 21 Explosive Devices Near Power Grid
German authorities said 21 explosive devices have been found and disabled near power facilities during investigations into a series of attacks and acts of sabotage against the country’s power grid.
Prosecutors in the eastern state of Saxony said on Monday the discoveries came as recent attacks on the power grid had put the country’s security agencies on alert in recent days.
Police and prosecutors said in a joint statement that investigators found nine more homemade explosive devices over the weekend near high-voltage transmission lines south of the Graustein substation in the Görlitz area. With this, the total number of explosive materials discovered and neutralized has reached 21 devices.
According to Reuters, Germany has in recent months become a focal point of concern in Europe over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, a concern that has intensified after several sabotage incidents on the country’s power grid.
The incidents drew further attention after the August drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport, which the German government said was carried out by Russia.
German police said on Friday they were searching for a man who, through letters, claimed responsibility for several sabotage attacks on the power grid last week. Police said items believed to be explosive materials were found after his home was searched, and he has not been detained so far.
