Days Without Electricity: The Berlin Crisis Raises Questions About National Security
A widespread power outage in Berlin has attracted intense global media attention following a suspected sabotage attack that plunged large parts of the city into darkness, with electricity, heating, and hot water cut off during sub-zero winter temperatures.
International reports indicated that a fire damaged high-voltage power cables near the Lichterfelde gas power plant in southwest Berlin. The incident disrupted essential services for days, affecting about 45,000 homes and more than 2,000 businesses, with the number of affected people peaking at around 100,000.
The British newspaper The Guardian described the state of anger and shock among the residents, who wondered how a single act of arson could paralyze the German capital for several days. Reports highlighted emergency shelters set up in gymnasiums, volunteers distributing hot drinks and blankets, alongside the deployment of the army to support logistics and fuel supplies.
The BBC reported that residents of Berlin resorted to camping stoves, candles, and battery-operated radios, while authorities worked to gradually restore electricity. Emergency teams from various parts of Germany were called in, hospitals relied on backup generators, and some schools were closed due to the prolonged outage.
According to the Financial Times, the power outage revealed deep structural weaknesses in Germany's energy security and infrastructure. The newspaper noted that the incident is widely seen as a wake-up call for decision-makers, especially given Berlin's central role in European politics, diplomacy, and security.
A far-left group calling itself the Volcano Group claimed responsibility for the attack through statements posted online, stating that it targeted the fossil fuel sector and not civilians. The group apologized to low-income residents, criticizing Germany's reliance on fossil energy, while German authorities confirmed that they are still assessing the credibility and source of these claims.
The French channel BFMTV reported that federal prosecutors in Germany are treating the case as a potential crime related to terrorism. The investigations include suspicions of belonging to a terrorist group, vandalism, and arson, reflecting the seriousness of the incident in the eyes of the authorities.
CNN reported that the outage disrupted not only homes and businesses but also transportation and communications, with some train services suspended and mobile networks affected in parts of the city. Officials also urged residents to reduce electricity consumption as power gradually returned, warning against overloading the grid.
The Spanish radio station Cadena SER confirmed the extent of the disruption, noting that tens of thousands of Berlin residents were left without electricity while temperatures remained below freezing.
Following the sabotage of power cables on January 3, southwest Berlin experienced one of the longest power outages since World War II. By the fifth day, Stromnetz Berlin (the operator of Berlin's electricity network) announced that power had fully returned to all affected subscribers.
During the interruption, an 83-year-old woman was found dead in her home. The police stated that the cause of death is unclear, whether it resulted from a fall or previous health issues, and an autopsy has been decided. The report was attributed to Nikfa Tashten Sifing.