Massive Power Outage Hits Berlin: Thousands Left in Darkness Amid Cold Snap

A massive power outage struck Berlin on Tuesday evening, leaving over 120,000 residents without electricity during a severe cold snap. The blackout began around 6:30 PM local time and affected major districts such as Mitte, Friedrichshain, and Kreuzberg.

The city’s main power grid suffered a technical failure after a fault occurred at a key transformer station in Friedrichshain. According to BerlinEnergy, a sudden surge caused the transformer to overheat, leading it to shut down automatically as a safety precaution.

Response and Impact

Emergency crews responded quickly and investigated the cause of the surge. BerlinEnergy spokesperson Anna Schmitt stated that the company is working continuously to restore power, prioritizing safety and aiming to have full service back within 24 hours.

The outage disrupted public transport, resulting in the closure of several subway lines and halting many trams mid-route. The Berlin Transport Authority recommended commuters use alternative bus services or work from home when possible.

Local hospitals activated emergency power systems to continue providing critical care, but postponed non-urgent procedures. Residents were urged to:

• Conserve battery power
• Avoid using elevators
• Check on elderly neighbors

With temperatures dropping to -5°C (23°F), residents resorted to candles and battery-powered heaters. Some community centers opened as warming stations to help those affected.

Cause and Official Statements

Officials confirmed no evidence of sabotage or cyberattacks; the failure was attributed to aging infrastructure long regarded as needing upgrades.

Berlin’s mayor, Klaus Müller, highlighted the incident’s significance, calling for urgent modernization of the power supply system. He emphasized investment in resilient and sustainable energy systems to protect citizens from future incidents.

Current Situation

Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with partial supply expected overnight. Authorities have established a hotline to assist affected residents and provide updates.

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