Campaign groups say fire was responsible for power outages

A far-left activist group in Germany has claimed responsibility for a suspected arson attack that left tens of thousands of homes, hospitals and businesses without power in temperatures around freezing.

Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) said in a statement that the action was aimed at the fossil fuel economy, not electricity cuts.

Power will not be restored to all customers until Thursday, and some schools will be closed early this week.

Earlier on Saturday, several cables were found burning on a bridge near a power plant southwest of Berlin. The fire was quickly extinguished, but about 45,000 homes and 2,200 businesses were without power.

The country’s economics minister told German media that the incendiary devices caused the damage.

Berlin’s mayor condemned the attack, accusing “alleged left-wing extremists” of deliberately endangering lives, especially those of hospital patients.

Officials said hospitals and nursing facilities have been equipped with emergency generators. Responses include moving individuals in affected areas from sites of care to their own homes in need of care to care facilities that are reported to be capable.

Power was restored to some hospitals on Sunday.

As of Sunday afternoon, about 10,000 homes and 300 businesses had been reconnected, with most still waiting for power to be restored.

Some schools due to reopen on Monday after the Christmas break will remain closed.

The capital’s electricity operator said it would not be able to reconnect all customers until Thursday.

In a statement, Vulkangruppe apologized to less affluent residents affected by the blackout but said he had little sympathy for “the many villa owners”.

The statement said the attack on the gas-fired power plant was an “act of self-defense” and an act of solidarity with those protecting the planet.

Police told AFP they considered the account “credible” as they continued to investigate, and other media reported they found the account credible.

volcano group Previously claimed responsibility for the incident A suspected arson attack caused Tesla’s Berlin car factory to halt production in 2024.