BERLIN (AP) — In south-west Berlin, many households and businesses are expected to face an extended power outage following the damage caused by a fire to high-voltage power lines. City authorities reported on Sunday that the incident was likely the result of a politically motivated attack attributed to “left-wing extremists.”
The blaze erupted on Saturday morning on a cable bridge spanning the Teltow Canal, located near the Lichterfelde power plant. Initially, over 45,000 households and approximately 2,200 businesses across four districts were left without electricity. This disruption also affected heating and internet services, further complicating the lives of those impacted.
Franziska Giffey, the Senator for Economic Affairs in Berlin, characterized the occurrence as “a particularly severe power outage impacting tens of thousands of households and businesses, including care facilities, hospitals, numerous social institutions, and companies.” While efforts to restore power have progressed, thousands remain without electricity, and authorities estimate that some residents may not regain power until Thursday.
The harsh winter conditions, including snowy weather and freezing temperatures, have impeded restoration efforts, adding to the challenges faced by those who have been affected by the outage. The incident is currently under investigation as a potential act of arson. Authorities have drawn comparisons to a similar power outage in September 2022 in southeast Berlin, when radical activists claimed responsibility for damage to the power infrastructure.
Authorities are also examining the validity of a letter that purportedly claims responsibility for the latest attack. Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner expressed strong condemnation, stating that the perpetrators were “clearly left-wing extremists.” He emphasized, “It is unacceptable that once again clearly left-wing extremists have attacked our power grid and thereby endangered human lives.”
As emergency services respond to the situation, the impact of the outage continues to resonate throughout the community, highlighting vulnerabilities in public infrastructure amidst a politically charged climate. The ongoing inquiry aims to hold those responsible accountable, while also seeking to restore normalcy as quickly as possible for residents and businesses reliant on consistent electrical service.
