Leftwing extremists claim responsibility for devastating Berlin blackout.
A coordinated arson attack has left tens of thousands of households without power, including 35,000 homes and 1,900 businesses in southwest Berlin, bringing the city to a grinding halt. The blaze on a bridge near the Lichterfelde heat and power station damaged several high-voltage cables, sparking widespread disruptions.
The Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), a radical leftwing militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it aimed to "cut the juice to the ruling class" in an effort to protest climate change and AI. The group's 2,500-word pamphlet, published by The Guardian, outlines their grievances against what they see as the destructive influence of fossil fuels.
The attackers argued that datacentres used for artificial intelligence exacerbate the problem of energy consumption while creating dangers to society. They also expressed sympathy for those who "protect the earth and life", suggesting a sense of solidarity with environmental activists.
However, many have criticized the group's actions, arguing that they endangered human lives by targeting high-voltage cables, which could lead to widespread power cuts for an extended period. Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, described the attack as having a "political motive" and warned that leftwing extremists are once again openly attacking the city's infrastructure.
As temperatures plummeted in Berlin over the weekend, residents were forced to rely on generators or candles to stay warm. Emergency services struggled to cope with the crisis, using loudspeakers attached to vehicles to inform the public about the disruptions. The attack has raised concerns about the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the need for improved security measures.
This is not the first time Vulkangruppe has been linked to a sabotage attempt in Berlin. In March 2024, they claimed responsibility for an arson attack against a Tesla pylon that disrupted production at the gigafactory.
A coordinated arson attack has left tens of thousands of households without power, including 35,000 homes and 1,900 businesses in southwest Berlin, bringing the city to a grinding halt. The blaze on a bridge near the Lichterfelde heat and power station damaged several high-voltage cables, sparking widespread disruptions.
The Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), a radical leftwing militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it aimed to "cut the juice to the ruling class" in an effort to protest climate change and AI. The group's 2,500-word pamphlet, published by The Guardian, outlines their grievances against what they see as the destructive influence of fossil fuels.
The attackers argued that datacentres used for artificial intelligence exacerbate the problem of energy consumption while creating dangers to society. They also expressed sympathy for those who "protect the earth and life", suggesting a sense of solidarity with environmental activists.
However, many have criticized the group's actions, arguing that they endangered human lives by targeting high-voltage cables, which could lead to widespread power cuts for an extended period. Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, described the attack as having a "political motive" and warned that leftwing extremists are once again openly attacking the city's infrastructure.
As temperatures plummeted in Berlin over the weekend, residents were forced to rely on generators or candles to stay warm. Emergency services struggled to cope with the crisis, using loudspeakers attached to vehicles to inform the public about the disruptions. The attack has raised concerns about the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the need for improved security measures.
This is not the first time Vulkangruppe has been linked to a sabotage attempt in Berlin. In March 2024, they claimed responsibility for an arson attack against a Tesla pylon that disrupted production at the gigafactory.
these attacks are gonna cause so much suffering for innocent people... 35k homes without power, that's a lot of people stuck in the cold. and what's with targeting high-voltage cables? didn't they think about how that would affect everyone else too? 
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i'm all for protesting but there gotta be better ways to do it than this... 
This is getting crazy! How do these leftwing extremists think their actions are gonna bring about change? They're just putting innocent people in harm's way... businesses, homes, it's all being affected. I'm no expert on climate change or AI, but can't they see the problem is way more complex than just cutting power to 'the ruling class'?
This is so worrying, the thought of tens of thousands losing power and having to deal with freezing temps is just heartbreaking. I get why the Vulkangruppe wants to bring attention to climate change and AI, but using arson attacks as a method is super reckless and could have ended up killing people 
. We need to find better ways to address these issues without putting lives at risk 
. I'm not sure if their message is being heard or if it's just getting lost in the noise 
. Can't we all just work together to find a balance between progress and protecting our planet? 
these people gotta stop w/ this terrorism stuff can't they see they're causin more harm than good? like, yeah be upset about climate change and AI but do u hav to destroy ppl's lives in the process 
it's not just about cuttin off power 2 the "ruling class" its about puttin innocent people thru hell 
i'm all 4 climate action but not at the cost of human lives 
. It's like they're thinking only about making a statement, but not considering the consequences for the people who actually have to deal with the aftermath. And what's with this "cutting the juice to the ruling class" thing? It sounds like just another form of entitled extremism 
. I think we need to start having a more nuanced conversation about environmental issues, one that doesn't resort to violence or sabotage. We should be working together to find solutions, not pitting ourselves against each other 
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! I mean, yeah I get it, climate change and AI are serious issues, but totally not worth hurting innocent people in Berlin 
. Like, they're just trying to make a point, but do they really have to put lives at risk?! 
. I mean, who tries to sabotage the power grid just to protest something? It's like, yeah be radical, but don't hurt anyone in the process 
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. We need to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint, but not by putting out a burning building in the middle of Berlin 
. Maybe they should just focus on education and awareness instead of trying to blow things up 
?
gotta rely on generators and candles 2 stay warm...german winter r the WORST 