Major Power Outage in Berlin Leaves Tens of Thousands Without Electricity and Heating

A significant power outage disrupted life in Berlin's southwestern districts early Saturday, leaving approximately 45,000 households and over 2,000 businesses without electricity, heating, internet, and mobile connectivity. The incident was triggered by a fire on a cable bridge spanning the Teltow Canal, affecting the power supply to several neighborhoods including Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde.

The fire broke out under a cable conduit leading to the Lichterfelde power plant, severely damaging the infrastructure. Emergency services responded promptly, and the police have initiated an investigation into suspected arson. The cause of the fire is under scrutiny, with authorities examining the possibility of deliberate sabotage. A crime scene investigation unit is utilizing advanced technologies, including drones, to collect evidence at the site.

The consequences of the outage were far-reaching. Traffic signals failed across affected areas, and supermarkets, such as those near the S-Bahn Sundgauer Straße, remained closed, leaving residents unable to purchase essential goods. Authorities deployed vehicles with loudspeakers to inform local communities and provide safety instructions. Compounding the disruption, snowfall created additional challenges for emergency response teams and residents alike.

City officials warned that the lack of electricity could also impact heating systems, urging residents to seek alternative accommodations with friends or relatives if necessary. Vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals and those in care facilities, were prioritized for assistance. The fire department coordinated the relocation of residents from two care homes to alternative facilities to ensure their safety and well-being.

The fire brigade cautioned against the use of gas-powered heating devices indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In case of phone network failures, citizens were advised to seek assistance at nearby fire or police stations, or to alert bus drivers if they required emergency help. Residents in unaffected neighborhoods were encouraged to check on relatives and friends in the impacted zones.

The operator, Stromnetz Berlin, stated that teams were working continuously to restore power in phases, though an exact timeline for full restoration was not immediately available. The utility highlighted the complexity of the repairs, given the scale of the damage to the critical power infrastructure over the canal.

This incident follows a similar large-scale outage in September of the previous year, when a politically motivated arson attack on power pylons in southeast Berlin left around 50,000 customers without electricity for several days. While the current investigation is ongoing, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a politically motivated act, but emphasize that all potential motives are being considered.

The outage has highlighted the extensive societal reliance on electricity for essential services, communications, and daily routines. Emergency services remain on high alert, and updates are being provided as repair work progresses and investigations continue.