A major investigation is underway into a prolonged power outage in Berlin earlier this year, caused by the deliberate burning of high-voltage electricity cables on a bridge over the Teltow Canal. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of 3 January, disrupted electricity supply to around 45,000 homes, multiple businesses and several hospitals, marking the longest blackout in the German capital since the Second World War. While emergency generators kept hospitals operating, the incident forced evacuations, cancellations of medical procedures and widespread disruption across affected districts for several days. Shortly after the sabotage, an anonymous group calling itself the “Volcano Group” claimed responsibility via an online statement posted on left-wing platforms. The text framed the attack as political action against fossil fuel infrastructure and “the imperial lifestyle”, aligning itself with environmental and anti-capitalist rhetoric. However, the group’s identity remains unverified, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are treating the case as terrorism due to its impact on critical infrastructure, and Germany’s federal prosecutors have opened multiple ongoing investigations linked to similar attacks dating back more than a decade. The Volcano Group has been associated with previous acts of sabotage in Berlin and even attacks on infrastructure linked to the Tesla Gigafactory. Despite this, experts note the absence of physical evidence and arrests, leading to competing theories about the perpetrators, including eco-extremists, far-right actors, or even foreign interference. Some linguistic analysis of the group’s statements has even suggested possible non-German origins, though this remains unconfirmed. The case has sparked political debate in Germany, with authorities offering a €1 million reward for information. Meanwhile, comparisons have been drawn with historic militant groups such as the Red Army Faction, though experts caution that ideological and operational differences are significant. The investigation remains unresolved, and the true identity of the saboteurs behind the blackout continues to be a matter of speculation and controversy.

The power cut was caused by a suspected arson attack and came as temperatures dipped below freezing.

Der durch einen terroristischen Anschlag herbeigeführte mehrtägige Stromausfall im Berliner Südwesten führt vor Augen, wie schnell ein regional beg...

YouTube video by B.C. Begley

"Vans" statt Vance: Laut KI-Expertin Andrea Schlüter wurden einige Formulierungen nicht auf Deutsch verfasst. Die Bundesanwaltschaft ermittelt.

Berlins Regierender Bürgermeister scheitert bei der Bewältigung des Stromausfalls. Statt echter Fehleranalyse fährt er ein billiges Ablenkungsmanöver.