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Berlin is back under power. Following an arson attack, the capital experienced its longest power outage since the Second World War, lasting around 60 hours, according to network operator Stromnetz Berlin.
The around 50,000 electricity customers affected in south-east Berlin since Tuesday night (September 9, 2025) have been supplied again since late afternoon. For comparison: in 2019 - the last major blackout - more than 30,000 households in Köpenick were without electricity for around 30 hours.
The cause of the widespread power outage was an arson attack. The fire destroyed several thick power lines at the foot of two electricity pylons in Berlin-Johannisthal in the district of Treptow-Köpenick. It took the fire brigade an hour just to extinguish the fire. Restrictions on local transport have also been rectified: According to the BVG, tram services resumed shortly after the power returned. The M17 and 63 lines have been able to run on the entire route again since around 5 pm.
However, the repair work is not yet complete. According to a spokesperson for Stromnetz GmbH, a temporary solution is currently still in place. "We are now working step by step on how we can put the damaged lines back into operation. We will clarify how long this will take over the course of the day," explained the spokesperson. "We have the advantage that the two pylons that were damaged by the fire have been categorised as stable and can still be used." That makes things a little easier. "But it's still a complex task."
The grid is currently not fully available, but this should not have any noticeable effects on Berlin residents. An interim solution has been put in place over the past two days: a connection between two lines near the power pylons damaged by the fire. The fire brigade, police, technical relief service and the district of Treptow-Köpenick were also involved in the operation.