BERLIN POWER OUTAGE TODAY: 50,000 homes in Steglitz-Zehlendorf without electricity after a suspected arson attack on a cable bridge.
A massive power outage has plunged large swathes of southwest Berlin into darkness today, Saturday, January 3, 2026. In a situation that authorities are describing as “critical,” roughly 50,000 households and 2,200 businesses have been left without electricity following a fire that damaged vital infrastructure.
The blackout comes at a particularly difficult time, as Berlin residents are currently dealing with freezing temperatures and snowfall, leading to urgent warnings regarding the failure of local heating systems.
The Incident: Fire at the Teltow Canal
The crisis began in the early morning hours when emergency services were alerted to a fire on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal.
- The Cause: Flames severely damaged several high-voltage cables connected to the Lichterfelde power station. While firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze quickly, the structural and technical damage was already extensive.
- The Suspected Motive: Berlin police have deployed approximately 160 officers to the site and have officially launched an investigation on suspicion of arson. The state security division (Staatsschutz), which handles politically motivated crimes, is leading the inquiry.
- Affected Neighborhoods: The outage is concentrated in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district, impacting residential areas in Lichterfelde, Nikolassee, and Wannsee.
Critical Infrastructure Under Pressure
The outage has created significant challenges for the city’s most vulnerable residents. Several hospitals and nursing homes located within the affected zone have been forced to rely on emergency generators.
“The situation is challenging because several care facilities are in the affected area,” said a spokesperson for the Berlin Fire Department. “We have already begun moving residents from at least two care homes to alternative facilities to ensure their safety and warmth.”
Local supermarkets have been forced to close, and traffic lights across the southwest have gone dark, leading to minor traffic disruptions throughout the morning.
Restoration Timeline and Public Advice
While the grid operator, Stromnetz Berlin, initially expressed hope for a quick resolution, the latest updates suggest a much longer recovery period. Due to the complexity of building replacement lines, many residents may not see power fully restored until Thursday, January 8, 2026.
| Issue | Current Status / Advice |
| Electricity | 45,000–50,000 households still offline. |
| Heating | Risk of failure in central heating systems; check on neighbors. |
| Communication | Mobile networks may be strained; use phones sparingly. |
| Emergency | If 112 is unreachable, go directly to the nearest police station. |
| Public Safety | Keep flashlights/torches ready; avoid using candles unattended. |
Political Context: A Pattern of Sabotage?
This incident mirrors a similar sabotage attack in September 2025 that left southeast Berlin without power for several days. During that event, a far-left extremist group claimed responsibility. While no claim has been made for today’s fire yet, Mayor Kai Wegner has condemned the act, stating that “attacks on critical infrastructure are attacks on our society as a whole.”
As night falls and temperatures drop further, the city is setting up “warming centers” for those unable to stay with friends or relatives.
