A fire on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power station cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents Saturday. The blaze damaged several cables, affecting approximately 45,000 households and 2,200 commercial entities across four districts, according to grid operator Stromnetz Berlin.
According to CNBC report, the attack occurred during sub-zero temperatures and snowy conditions, leaving families without heat or power during winter weather.
Local officials attributed the incident to The Vulkangruppe, known in English as The Volcano Group. The left-wing extremist organization published a letter claiming responsibility shortly after the attack.
Iris Spranger, Berlin’s interior affairs minister, condemned the perpetrators at a Monday press conference. “The contemptuous attack on our power grid was not left-wing extremism. That was left-wing terrorism, and that must be clearly stated as such,” Spranger said.
Why Did Climate Activists Target Energy Infrastructure?
The Vulkangruppe stated their actions targeted the fossil fuel-based energy industry due to concerns over the climate crisis. The group’s letter also cited opposition to the buildout of artificial intelligence infrastructure as motivation for the attack. CNBC has been unable to independently verify the letter’s authenticity.
This marks the group’s latest action against energy systems. The Vulkangruppe previously claimed responsibility for an attack on Tesla’s gigafactory near Berlin in 2024, forcing Elon Musk’s company to halt production temporarily.
Stromnetz Berlin restored electricity to approximately 10,000 households and 300 businesses in the Lichterfelde district. However, 35,000 households and 1,900 businesses remain without power.
The grid company said full restoration for all affected customers is not expected until Thursday afternoon, meaning thousands face multiple days without heating during freezing temperatures.
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