Power restored to 45,000 Berlin homes after sabotage caused blackout

Mohan Sinha
12 Jan 2026, 04:26 GMT+10

Tens of thousands of households in southwestern Berlin saw their electricity restored on January 7, three days after leftist activists had attacked a power station, causing a blackout
This was the most extended outage in the German capital since World War II
A fire early on January 3 destroyed a cable tunnel over a canal, cutting power to about 45,000 homes and more than 2,000 businesses in the southwest of the city during freezing weather

BERLIN, Germany: Tens of thousands of households in southwestern Berlin saw their electricity restored on January 7, three days after leftist activists had attacked a power station, causing a blackout.

This was the most extended outage in the German capital since World War II.

A fire early on January 3 destroyed a cable tunnel over a canal, cutting power to about 45,000 homes and more than 2,000 businesses in the southwest of the city during freezing weather.

"Today is a good day for the many people affected who had been cut off from electricity and heat since January 3," said Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner.

The operation to restore power, which started at 11 a.m. (1000 GMT), was a complex and gradual process, he said.

The far-left activist group Volcano said it was responsible. The group had earlier claimed it attacked a power tower near Tesla's factory outside Berlin in 2024.

The German army was called in to help people affected by the blackout, which also disrupted mobile phone service, heating, and trains.

The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) set up food stations across Berlin and served hot meals to residents.

The long-lasting problems have led some politicians to call for more spending to protect the city's infrastructure, especially after intelligence agencies warned about growing threats from left-wing extremists.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.

More Information

International

Section

Breather for Trump as US top court delays tariffs ruling to January 14

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump's decision on global tariffs received an unexpected breather when the U.S. Supreme Court postponed...

Iran shuts down internet, phone services after protests erupt

DUBAI, U.A.E: As a nighttime demonstration called by Iran's exiled crown prince saw protesters shout from their windows and storm the...

US walks out of 66 international organizations, calling them wasteful

WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 7, suspending U.S. support for the 66 organizations,...

Minneapolis woman shot by ICE agent had just left child in school

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Controversy raged over the shooting at the wheel by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer of the...

Power restored to 45,000 Berlin homes after sabotage caused blackout

BERLIN, Germany: Tens of thousands of households in southwestern Berlin saw their electricity restored on January 7, three days after...

With Trump's Greenland goal in mind, Rubio to meet Denmark leaders

PARIS/BERLIN/WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on January 7 that he would meet Denmark's leaders next week, even...

Africa

Section

EAM says "resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability" four "broad priorities" for India's BRICS 2026 Chairship

New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday noted down 'four broad priorities' guiding...