Following widespread power outages that crippled significant portions of Berlin, initial restoration efforts have begun, reconnecting approximately 7,000 households and 150 businesses, primarily in the Lichterfelde district. The network operator announced the phased reconnection concluded around 3:30 AM on Sunday, but cautioned that full restoration for all affected customers is unlikely until Thursday afternoon. The disruption initially impacted roughly 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses across the districts of Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee and Lichterfelde.
The incident, which has sparked considerable political fallout, was attributed to an arson attack targeting a cable bridge spanning the Teltow Canal. Responsibility for the act has been claimed by the “Vulkangruppe” a group classified as left-wing extremist and with a history of similar destructive actions. While state security services have indicated they are verifying the authenticity of the group’s claim of responsibility, their rapid assertion has already fueled a debate over the escalating tactics employed by radical groups and the government’s response.
The extensive damage has prompted a significant deployment of police resources, with approximately 330 officers currently engaged in securing the affected areas and investigating the incident. Critics are questioning the adequacy of preventative security measures given the “Vulkangruppe’s” previous actions and pattern of escalated violence. Opposition parties are demanding a thorough review of infrastructure protection protocols and a full accounting of security intelligence failures that may have contributed to the vulnerability exploited in this attack. Furthermore, the incident is drawing attention to the potential for targeted attacks against vital infrastructure and the broader security implications for urban centers. The investigation continues, with authorities focusing on identifying those responsible and preventing future incidents.
