A new phase has begun in the criminal investigation into the large-scale power outage that occurred in Berlin, the capital of Germany. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Federal Prosecutor's Office has announced a reward of 1 million euros for anyone providing information that helps solve the case of the attack on power cables in the southwest of the city on January 3.
Berlin Interior Minister Iris Spranger emphasized that this amount is an unprecedented exception in the country's history. According to the minister, the federal government took this step considering the scale and seriousness of the incident. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is currently continuing its investigation into the incident under suspicion of terrorism, as authorities seek to identify those responsible for the deliberate disruption of critical infrastructure.
The attack, which took place on January 3, resulted in approximately 100,000 people in the southwestern part of Berlin remaining without electricity for several days. This is considered one of the longest-lasting energy outages recorded in the city since World War II, leaving approximately 50,000 homes without both light and heating. The far-left "Vulkangruppe" (Volcano Group) has claimed responsibility for the incident. The city's electricity distribution company, Stromnetz Berlin, was only able to fully restore power to all subscribers by the end of the fifth day.
Such acts of sabotage against energy infrastructure have become a growing concern for European security agencies in recent years. This record-breaking reward highlights the increasing vulnerability of urban power grids and the determination of German federal authorities to deter future attacks on essential public services. The incident has sparked a wider debate in Germany regarding the protection of critical infrastructure and the rising threat of domestic extremism targeting the nation's energy security.
