Thousands in southwest Berlin remain without power after arson attack

(MENAFN) Thousands of residents in southwest Berlin remain without heating or electricity amid freezing temperatures following a large-scale power outage triggered by an arson attack on Saturday, according to reports.

The blaze damaged key electricity cables, cutting power to roughly 50,000 homes and 2,000 commercial establishments, affecting over 100,000 people. In response, Berlin authorities declared a state of emergency and called in support from both the military and the federal police.

Utility operator Stromnetz Berlin described the damage to the city’s power grid as severe and complicated, warning that full restoration of electricity is not expected before Thursday.

The far-left group Vulkan, known for similar attacks in the past, claimed responsibility in a letter titled: “Cutting off power to those in power.” The group said it had sabotaged a natural gas power plant, framing the action as an expression of international solidarity against the fossil fuel industry.

Authorities noted that the Vulkangruppe has been linked to multiple arson attacks in Berlin and Brandenburg since 2011, including assaults on the electrical infrastructure of a Tesla factory in 2021 and 2024. Berlin’s state intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, classifies the group as anarchist.

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