A five-day power outage in Berlin, Germany, concluded with electricity largely restored to affected areas. The incident, which occurred during freezing temperatures, was attributed to a suspected arson attack on electrical cables near the Lichterfelde gas-fired power plant. A far-left group identified as Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) claimed responsibility for the attack, while a subsequent statement, purportedly from the group's founders, disassociated itself from recent actions. The event is considered Germany's longest power cut since World War II and prompted discussions regarding critical infrastructure vulnerability.
Incident Overview
The power disruption began early on a Saturday, affecting areas primarily in southwest Berlin, including the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district. Investigations revealed that multiple cables on a bridge near the Lichterfelde gas-fired power plant were observed burning, leading to the widespread outage. Federal state prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the sabotage, though initial evidence beyond footprints in the snow was reported as limited.
Impact on Residents and Services
The outage affected an estimated 100,000 individuals, including approximately 45,000 households and nearly 2,000 businesses. Critical services were also impacted, with four hospitals, 74 care homes, 20 schools, and sections of the public transport network experiencing power loss. Hospitals operated on emergency generators, and some schools were temporarily closed. Residents reported relying on battery-powered radios for information and utilizing camping stoves for cooking, with some taking measures to prevent water pipes from freezing. Some residents, including a retired nurse and caretaker couple, experienced temporary displacement.
Claims of Responsibility
The Vulkangruppe issued a statement claiming responsibility for the arson. The group stated its objective was to target the fossil energy industry, "turn off the juice of those in power," and highlight Germany's reliance on fossil fuels. The statement included an apology to "less wealthy people" in southwest Berlin, while expressing limited sympathy for "many owners of villas" in the affected affluent districts. However, a subsequent statement, purportedly from Vulkangruppe's founders, appeared online via the Indymedia site, disassociating themselves from "all actions of recent years." German authorities classify Vulkangruppe as a left-wing extremist organization.
Restoration Efforts and Aid
Electricity restoration was conducted on a step-by-step basis, drawing resources from across Germany. By Wednesday morning, all remaining 20,000 households and 850 businesses without heating or hot water had been reconnected. During the outage, the Red Cross provided assistance such as thermal flasks and muesli bars. The German army distributed diesel to clinics operating emergency generators and aided with repairs. Various public and private entities, including hotels, libraries, swimming pools, cinemas, and museums in Berlin, opened their doors to assist those without power.
Official Response and Infrastructure Security
Berlin's Mayor, Kai Wegner, visited a sports hall accommodating affected residents. Berlin's Energy and Economy Senator, Franziska Giffey, described the incident as a "serious blow to critical infrastructure." Giffey suggested that the perpetrators likely used publicly available maps to select the location of the attack and indicated a future prioritization of security over transparency regarding infrastructure information. Manuel Atug, a founder of AG Kritis, an independent expert group on critical infrastructure, stated that his organization had previously warned of system shortfalls and inadequate planning for network backups (electricity, water, cyber) to prevent failures from single events like arson attacks. Atug noted that resilience investments by utility companies often align with legal requirements, while political priorities may favor visible projects over essential infrastructure protection.
Political Reactions
The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party criticized the government's response, accusing leadership of failing to ensure citizen safety and warmth. The party's deputy federal spokesperson, Kay Gottschalk, stated that the government had not developed a consistent political and security response to sabotage or arson attacks, emphasizing that such threats are now a "bitter reality."
Historical Context of Vulkangruppe
Attacks attributed to the Vulkangruppe have occurred intermittently since 2011 in Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Domestic intelligence agencies describe the group's stated objective as disrupting "day-to-day functions in order to harm the hated capitalist system." In 2024, activists also claimed responsibility for a suspected arson attack that halted production at a Tesla factory located near Berlin. The precise structure and operational methods of the Vulkangruppe remain unclear to authorities.
Public Preparedness
The incident also highlighted an observed increase in personal preparedness among the public. Some individuals reported utilizing emergency supplies such as crank radios and camping stoves, which they had acquired after events like the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Others maintained hidden provisions of tinned goods and water, a practice reportedly becoming more common and openly acknowledged in Germany.