Households and businesses in the south-western part of Berlin are facing the possibility of prolonged power outages due to a fire that damaged power lines. The incident, which occurred on the morning of January 3 on a cable bridge near the Lichterfelde power plant, has left over 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses in four districts without electricity, impacting heating and internet services as well.
Authorities suspect the fire was a deliberate act of arson, similar to a previous incident in September in south-east Berlin. Investigations are underway to verify a letter claiming responsibility for the recent attack.
Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner expressed concern over the situation, labeling the perpetrators as “clearly left-wing extremists” who endangered lives by targeting the power grid. The city’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey, highlighted the severity of the power outage, affecting various essential services such as hospitals, care facilities, and businesses.
Despite efforts to restore power, some households may remain without electricity until Thursday, as harsh snowy weather conditions have hampered restoration work and added further challenges for those affected.