Anarchist militants claim arson that cut power to about 45,000 Berlin homes

Leftwing anarchist militants have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that cut electricity to about 45,000 households and a large swathe of south‑west Berlin, federal state prosecutors said they have taken over the criminal investigation. The blackout affected almost 2,000 businesses, four hospitals, 74 care homes, 20 schools and parts of the public transport network in what has been described as Germany’s longest power cut since the second world war.

Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) said its aim was to “turn off the juice of those in power” and to highlight Germany’s overdependence on fossil fuels. Investigators say they have little to go on so far beyond some footprints in the snow. On Wednesday morning the remaining 20,000 households and 850 businesses still without heating or hot water were reconnected.

Relief organisations and the army assisted on the ground: the Red Cross handed out supplies and urged more investment in civil protection, while the army distributed diesel to clinics and helped with repairs. Berlin’s energy and economy senator, Franziska Giffey, called the attack a “serious blow to critical infrastructure”, saying the perpetrators had set fire to a bridge carrying high‑voltage cables and had probably used public maps to select the location.

Many Berliners and experts are asking three central questions: who was responsible, how could the infrastructure be so vulnerable, and how can future attacks be prevented.

Key Topics

World, Vulkangruppe, Berlin, Germany, Blackout, Franziska Giffey