Dormagen, Germany — September 4, 2026: German authorities are investigating a suspected sabotage attempt at an electricity substation in Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, after suspicious equipment was discovered near the facility.

The incident came to light Thursday evening when a passerby noticed unusual objects close to the substation in the Gohr area of Dormagen and alerted police. Investigators subsequently secured the area and began examining the objects.

Police said the evidence points toward a possible deliberate attempt to interfere with the electricity infrastructure. Investigators have reportedly found what may be a launch device, although the exact nature and capability of the equipment are still being examined by specialists. No damage to the electricity network has been reported at the Dormagen site.

Authorities have also received a claim-of-responsibility letter. Police are investigating whether the document is genuine and whether it is connected to other recent incidents involving German power infrastructure.

The letter reportedly refers to other suspected incidents in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. Investigators are therefore checking additional substations in surrounding areas for potentially dangerous or suspicious objects.

The latest case follows two earlier incidents involving electricity infrastructure. In one incident near Bergheim, west of Cologne, an intentional short circuit caused several coal-fired power units with a combined capacity of around 4,200 megawatts to temporarily leave the grid. Another suspected sabotage case occurred at a substation near Jänschwalde in Brandenburg.

German authorities are treating the incidents seriously because electricity substations are part of the country’s critical infrastructure. Investigators are examining whether the cases are connected and who may be responsible.

Police have begun searching for a man from the Gevelsberg area who is reportedly associated with the claim-of-responsibility letter. Authorities are also checking whether the letter’s stated motives and references to other incidents are authentic.

At the Ganderkesee substation in Lower Saxony, police also launched an overnight operation after officers made a discovery requiring further investigation. Authorities said there was no danger to the public, while the precise circumstances remained unclear.

The investigations remain ongoing. Police have not yet established who carried out the Dormagen incident or whether the various attacks form part of a coordinated campaign.