Leftist Militants Claim Responsibility for Arson Attack in Berlin
Left-wing activists in Germany have taken responsibility for an arson attack that led to power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes in Berlin, as a protest against the climate crisis and artificial intelligence.
Impact on Power Supply
The fire, which ignited on a bridge over the Teltow Canal early on Saturday, has disrupted electricity for as many as 35,000 homes and 1,900 businesses, potentially leaving residents without heating until January 8, according to Stromnetz Berlin, the grid operator.
Vulkangruppe’s Statement
The group responsible, the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), stated in a 2,500-word pamphlet that the attack was aimed at what they described as the “ruling class.” They expressed anger over the “greed for energy” tied to fossil fuels and framed their actions as “public interest” and “self-defense.”
Concerns Over AI and Climate
In their message, they highlighted how data centers used for AI contribute to energy consumption that is harmful to the climate, warning against the surveillance society being fostered by tech companies. They argued that this reliance on technology could lead to societal decline.
Affected Areas and Apologies
While the Vulkangruppe offered apologies to less affluent individuals impacted by the outage, they expressed limited sympathy for wealthier homeowners. The areas affected include residential facilities for the elderly and hospitals, amplifying concerns given the cold weather conditions.
Political Reactions and Previous Attacks
Berlin’s Mayor, Kai Wegner, condemned the attack, noting its political motivations and likening it to previous incidents of far-left extremism. Security experts noted this incident’s similarity to past attacks, including a September incident that resulted in a prolonged blackout.
Restoration Efforts and Security Concerns
Stromnetz Berlin reported that initial outages affected 45,000 homes, but by midday Sunday, about 10,000 homes had their power restored. Efforts to repair infrastructure have been hindered by cold weather, delaying full restoration. Experts warn that targeting energy infrastructure is increasingly easy, with schematics of power grids widely accessible.
