Massive Power Outage Hits Berlin Following Suspected Arson Attack
A large-scale power outage, affecting up to 50,000 households and businesses, has swept across five districts in southwestern Berlin due to a suspected arson attack on power cables. Authorities are investigating the incident as a criminal act of arson, with an extremist left-wing group claiming responsibility for the attack. Amid freezing temperatures, tens of thousands of homes are expected to be without electricity until at least Thursday.
Background and Context
The blackout occurred early on Saturday when emergency services were alerted that several high-voltage cables on a bridge near a power plant had caught fire. The German capital, currently under a blanket of snow with temperatures hovering around freezing, has seen tens of thousands of households affected, with some also losing heating due to the outage.
Key Developments
A self-described group of climate activists, known as the Vulkan Gruppe, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group stated their actions were aimed at targeting the fossil fuel industry and the rich.
The act of sabotage was defended as a legitimate defense
of the planet, expressing regret for the inconvenience to the population.
Reports from different sources have shown a slight discrepancy in the number of affected households, ranging from 35,000 to 50,000. However, it is agreed that both residential and commercial entities are suffering from the blackout, with some households having their power restored but tens of thousands more expected to wait several days amid freezing temperatures.
Reactions and Implications
The attack has been denounced by city officials, with Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner classifying it as an act of terrorism. This is not just arson or sabotage. This is already terrorism,
Wegner told RBB television, highlighting the risk to lives, including elderly people who might need ventilators and families with young children.
The Berlin police are actively involved in the investigation, treating the incident as a targeted arson attack. There are suspicions of Russian sabotage, however, these remain unconfirmed and are part of an ongoing investigation.
Current Status
While some 7,000 households have seen their electricity restored, many Berliners continue to face the brunt of the blackout. Full restoration of the power supply is not expected until January 8, according to the local electricity provider, Stromnetz Berlin. The residents of the affected areas are expected to remain without power in freezing temperatures, further exacerbating the situation.
In conclusion, a massive power outage caused by a suspected arson attack has left tens of thousands of households in Berlin without electricity. The situation has been compounded by freezing winter temperatures, and the power supply is not expected to be fully restored until later this week. As investigations continue, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and the potential for extremist actions to disrupt daily life.