German authorities have initiated an investigation into a suspected arson attack on a power pylon near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The attack, claimed by an environmental group, resulted in power outages across several areas and disrupted vehicle production at the electric vehicle plant.
The public prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt an der Oder has launched a probe into the incident. According to spokesperson Carola Ochs, investigations are underway “in all directions,” including the criminal offense of sabotaging infrastructure that harmed the community, as reported by DW.
The attack, which caused scorch marks on the electricity pylon, disrupted Giga Berlin’s power supply and affected thousands of households in multiple districts. The alleged arson also forced some facilities in the Freienbrink industrial area, near the Tesla plant, to cease operations. Tesla has stated that the halt in Model Y production is expected to extend into next week.
Shortly after the attack, a far-left group calling itself the “Volcano Group” claimed responsibility. However, authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators. Ochs mentioned that Germany’s federal public prosecutor has been informed about the case and could assume control of the investigation if necessary.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the incident as a “serious arson attack” with far-reaching consequences beyond Giga Berlin. Faeser highlighted that the arson led to power outages affecting hospitals and medical operations, emphasizing the need for a robust response. She called on the public prosecutor’s office to impose “severe penalties.”
Giga Berlin has faced significant opposition since its inception, with water consumption being a major point of contention among protesters. Tesla has defended Giga Berlin as a sustainable plant, citing a report by the German newspaper Tagesspiegel indicating that Tesla’s water consumption over the past year was 451,654 cubic meters, well below the agreed amount with the local water authority.
