In a display of compassion during one of Berlin’s harshest winter spells, renowned Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar joined local authorities in the city to distribute meals to thousands of residents impacted by a major power outage caused by suspected far-left sabotage. The incident, which has plunged parts of the city into darkness since January 3, has left thousands of people without any mean to heat their houses amid freezing temperatures dipping below -5°C (23°F), as electricity is the primary source of heating in the city.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar posted on X, “In freezing temperatures in Berlin 50,000 households were without heating or power for four days. Joined the regional mayor and member of German parliament, to distribute food and support those affected.”
In freezing temperatures in Berlin 50,000 households were without heating or power for four days. Joined the regional mayor and member of German parliament, to distribute food and support those affected. pic.twitter.com/Q8DjvPRGA3
— Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@Gurudev) January 7, 2026
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, arrived in Germany’s Düsseldorf on January 3.
The outage began early Saturday morning when arsonists targeted a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal near the Lichterfelde power plant in southwest Berlin. Incendiary devices were placed beneath high-voltage and medium-voltage cables, igniting a fire that damaged the power lines. Metal rods were also reportedly used to short-circuit the wires, maximising destruction and complicating repairs.
This deliberate act severed electricity to an estimated 50,000 households and 2,200 businesses, disrupting heating, lighting, mobile communications, and emergency services during a brutal cold period. The local district heating system also collapsed as a result of the power outage. While heat is obtained from gas or waste heat from power stations, electricity is needed to run pumps, heat exchanges and control systems to circulate the heat.
The number of impacted homes had reduced to around 20,000 by today, but full restoration is not expected until the evening of January 8, according to grid operator Stromnetz Berlin.
The sabotage has been claimed by the far-left extremist group Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) in an online post, saying it was targeting “the fossil fuel economy” and the expansion of artificial intelligence driving climate change. “In the greed for energy, the Earth is being drained, sucked dry, burned, ravaged, razed, raped and destroyed,” the group wrote.
Vulkangruppe added, “The attack on the gas-fired power plant is an act of self-defence and international solidarity with all those who protect the Earth and life.” They claimed that they targeted wealthier districts of Wannsee, Zehlendorf, and Nikolassee, and apologised for the inconvenience caused to less affluent people.
The far-left group in Germany is known for such sabotage and destruction of energy, railway, and data infrastructure. The group also attacked a Tesla factory outside Berlin in 2024, despite the fact that Tesla makes only electric cars that don’t use fossil fuel.
German authorities have labelled the attack a “left-wing terrorist attack” carried out with significant criminal intent, and a federal terrorism probe by the Bundesanwaltschaft has been launched. Authorities are probing the attack on power infrastructure on suspicion of “membership in a terrorist organization, sabotage, arson and disruption of public services.”
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said, “suspected left-wing extremists knowingly put lives at risk, especially those of patients in hospitals, as well as the elderly, children and families.”
The impact been severe, with residents enduring sub-zero temperatures without heat. Elderly individuals and vulnerable groups have been hit hardest, one woman in her mid-80s reportedly succumbed to the cold in her unheated home. In some areas, failed sewage pumps caused backups, flooding basements with raw sewage up to 14 centimetres deep, destroying belongings.
Police and emergency services have gone door-to-door to check on at-risk populations, while warming centres and temporary shelters have been set up. The German military is also providing logistical help and emergency generators. Around 20 schools remained closed in affected areas.
