Authorities in Berlin have declared a major incident after a fire on critical power infrastructure plunged tens of thousands of residents and businesses into darkness, blaming the attack on left-wing extremists.
Major Infrastructure Targeted in Early Morning Blaze
The disruption began on the morning of Saturday, January 3, 2026, when a fire erupted on a cable bridge spanning the Teltow Canal. The location, close to the Lichterfelde power plant in south-west Berlin, is a crucial node in the city's energy network.
By Sunday, January 4, city officials had labelled the fire a deliberate, politically motivated act. Berlin's Mayor, Kai Wegner, stated to a German news agency that the perpetrators were "clearly left-wing extremists," condemning the attack for endangering lives.
Widespread Impact and Severe Consequences
The damage had an immediate and severe impact across four districts. Over 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses lost electricity. The blackout also crippled heating and internet services, creating a crisis compounded by freezing winter temperatures.
Franziska Giffey, the city's Senator for Economic Affairs, described it as "a particularly severe power outage." The list of affected entities underscores the gravity:
- Care facilities and hospitals
- Social institutions
- Numerous companies
While power was restored to some by Sunday, authorities warned that many could remain without electricity until Thursday. Restoration efforts have been severely hampered by snowy and freezing conditions.
Investigation and Echoes of Previous Attacks
The incident is officially being investigated as a possible act of arson. Authorities are working to verify the authenticity of a letter that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Officials have drawn a direct comparison to a similar power outage in south-east Berlin in September. In that earlier case, radical activists claimed responsibility, as reported by the Associated Press, suggesting a potential pattern of targeting energy infrastructure.
Mayor Wegner emphasised the unacceptable nature of the assault, stating: "It is unacceptable that once again clearly left-wing extremists have attacked our power grid and thereby endangered human lives." The event raises serious questions about the security of essential utilities and the escalating tactics of political extremism.
