Activist Group Claims Responsibility for Fire Leaving Berlin Without Power

A Vandalism Attack in Berlin Impacts Thousands of Homes

A left-wing activist group in Germany has claimed responsibility for a suspected arson attack that left tens of thousands of homes, as well as hospitals and businesses, without electricity amid near-freezing temperatures. Vulkangruppe (Vulcan Group) stated in a communiqué that their action targeted the fossil fuel-based economy, not the disruption of power supply.

As of Thursday, it is estimated that all customers will be reconnected to electricity, though some schools may remain closed at the beginning of the week. On Saturday morning, several cables on a bridge were observed ablaze near a power plant in southwestern Berlin. The fire was extinguished quickly, but approximately 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses were left without electricity.

The state’s minister of economy told German media that incendiary devices caused the damage. The Mayor of Berlin condemned the attack, accusing “left-wing extremists” of endangering lives, particularly those of patients in hospitals. Hospitals and care facilities were provided with emergency generators, officials stated. The response included transferring individuals from affected areas to care facilities with available capacity. Some hospitals had restored their electricity by Sunday.

By Sunday afternoon, around 10,000 households and 300 businesses had been reconnected, with the majority still awaiting their power restoration. Some schools scheduled to reopen on Monday after the Christmas break will remain closed. The electricity operator in the capital announced that reconnecting all customers would take until Thursday. In its statement, Vulkangruppe expressed apologies to less affluent residents affected by the outage but stated less sympathy for “the many villa owners.” The communiqué described the attack on the gas power plant as an “act of self-defense” and solidarity with those protecting the earth.

Police told AFP that they believe the group's statement is “plausible” as they continue to investigate, and other media sources have reported that police consider it credible. Vulkangruppe had previously claimed responsibility for a similar attack that halted production at the Tesla factory in Berlin in 2024.