A deliberate attack on critical infrastructure has plunged tens of thousands of Berlin residents into a cold and dark crisis, with power not expected to be fully restored for days. Officials have squarely blamed left-wing extremists for the act of arson which has crippled parts of the capital.
The Attack and Immediate Fallout
According to local authorities, the crisis began on Saturday morning, 3 January 2026. A fire, being investigated as a deliberate act of arson, broke out on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power plant. The blaze severely damaged high-voltage power lines, causing an immediate and widespread blackout.
Grid operator Stromnetz Berlin confirmed that initially, more than 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses in the southwestern districts of Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde were cut off from the electricity supply. By Sunday, the situation had improved only marginally, with around 35,000 homes and 1,900 business customers still without power.
A City Scrambles to Respond
The timing of the attack could hardly be worse, with Berlin experiencing biting sub-zero daytime temperatures. The loss of power has also knocked out heating and internet services for many, creating a potentially dangerous situation for vulnerable residents.
In response, the city has activated emergency measures. Community centres have been opened to provide shelter from the freezing conditions, and sports halls have been rapidly converted into emergency accommodation filled with camp beds. Berlin's Mayor, Kai Wegner, visited affected residents, condemning the perpetrators in strong terms.
"It is unacceptable that once again clearly left-wing extremists have attacked our power grid and thereby endangered human lives," Mr Wegner told a German news agency. Franziska Giffey, the city's senator for economic affairs, highlighted the broad impact, noting the outage affected care facilities, hospitals, and numerous social institutions alongside homes and businesses.
A Long Road to Recovery
Repair crews are facing a difficult task. Snowy weather and freezing temperatures have slowed down restoration efforts significantly. Stromnetz Berlin has stated that power is not expected to be fully restored until Thursday, 8 January, meaning some residents will endure nearly a week without reliable electricity or heating.
Authorities have drawn a direct comparison to a similar power outage in southeast Berlin last September, which was also claimed by radical activists. This latest incident underscores the growing threat of politically motivated attacks on essential public infrastructure, with severe consequences for everyday citizens caught in the crossfire.
