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CRIME

Organised crime suspicions spread to Düsseldorf U-Bahn

As details continue to emerge about suspected organised crime connections that led to shoddy metro construction practices and the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, building experts have discovered similar problems in nearby Düsseldorf.

Organised crime suspicions spread to Düsseldorf U-Bahn
Photo: DPA

City building department head Gregor Bonin told journalists late on Tuesday experts had found falsified protocols and metal anchors that had not been installed properly at six different underground metro construction sites on the U-Bahn Wehrhahn line.

“There is criminal energy at play here,” Bonin said, adding that the city has filed charges against two people in the case.

After the March 2009 collapse of Cologne’s city archive, which killed two people and destroyed countless precious documents, officials there launched an investigation into metro construction practices that may have led to the accident. They have since uncovered systematic falsification of building protocols and evidence that construction companies were skimping on concrete and other materials.

Bonin said there were clear indications that similar incidents in Düsseldorf were perpetrated by the same people as in Cologne – employees of a company called Bilfinger Berger – and those under suspicion have been suspended from their duties.

Because no safety danger has been detected in relation to these practices, construction of the U-Bahn line will continue as planned, he said.

Meanwhile Düsseldorf Mayor Dirk Elbers said in a statement that he would insure “open and transparent” investigation into the situation.

“The Wehrhahn line will be absolutely secure,” he said.

Cities that may have worked with Bilfinger Berger on U-Bahn construction in the last 40 years have been asked to file reports.

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BUSINESS

Elon Musk visits Tesla’s sabotage-hit German factory

Elon Musk travelled Wednesday to Tesla's factory near Berlin to lend his workers "support" after the plant was forced to halt production by a suspected arson attack on nearby power lines.

Elon Musk visits Tesla's sabotage-hit German factory

The Tesla CEO addressed thousands of employees on arrival at the site, accusing “eco-terrorists” of the sabotage as he defended his company’s green credentials.

With his son X AE A-XII in his arms, Musk said: “I am here to support you.”

The billionaire’s visit came a week after power lines supplying the electric carmaker’s only European plant were set on fire in an act of sabotage claimed by a far-left group called the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group).

READ ALSO: Far-left group claims ‘sabotage’ on Tesla’s German factory

Musk had said then that the attack was “extremely dumb”, while the company said it would cost it several hundred million euros.

A week on, the lights have come back on at the site, but Andre Thierig, who heads the site, said on LinkedIn that it would “take a bit of time” before production is back to full speed.

Industry experts have warned that the reputational impact caused by the sabotage on the region could be more severe than the losses suffered by Tesla.

Tesla’s German plant started production in 2022 following an arduous two-year approval and construction process dogged by administrative and legal obstacles.

Tesla wants to expand the site by 170 hectares and boost production up to one million vehicles annually to feed Europe’s growing demand for electric cars and take on rivals who are shifting away from combustion engine vehicles.

But the plans have annoyed local residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding ballot last month.

After the vote, Tesla said it might have to rethink the plans. Environmental activists opposed to the expansion of the factory have recently also set up a camp in a wooded area near the plant.

READ ALSO: Why is Tesla’s expansion near Berlin so controversial?

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