Anarchists deliberately set a fire and deprived Berlin of electricity

A fire on a bridge over the Teltow Canal in south-west Berlin could deprive up to 45 thousand households of electricity until at least 8 January this year. This was stated by the power company Stromnetz Berlin, which said that several high-voltage and medium-voltage lines were left seriously damaged after the incident.

The flames broke out in the early hours of Saturday near the Lichterfelde heating and power plant. Police are investigating the incident as a possible arson attack, and both criminals and emergency services intervened at the scene.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner described the perpetrators as left-wing extremists, according to the Taz portal. The anarchist group Volcano claimed responsibility in a letter to the police, according to Junge Freiheit. The group has been behind similar attacks in the country in the past.

Rail transport, traffic lights and petrol stations were also affected by the blackout. The situation is worsened by the expected freezing temperatures.

(reuters, max)