Alpha News

Berlin Blackout: Arson Suspected at Power Distribution Station

Published January 4, 2026, 13:16

More than 35,000 households in southwestern Berlin remain without power since yesterday, Saturday, due to arson at a power distribution station. The far-left organization Vulkan claimed responsibility in a letter. Initially, 45,000 households were affected, but reconnection to the grid was possible for 7,000 of them overnight. The Vulkan organization had also claimed responsibility for a similar act in May at a radio line transformer station, arguing that wealthy areas should be expropriated. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution describes the organization's activities as “often having a noticeable impact on the population.” The particularly low temperatures (-6 to -1 degrees Celsius today) further worsen the situation for residents, as well as for hospitals, nursing homes, schools and kindergartens. Technical teams continue to work to fully restore power.