Current:Home > StocksTesla's Giga Berlin plant in Germany shut down by suspected arson fire-InfoLens
Tesla's Giga Berlin plant in Germany shut down by suspected arson fire
View Date:2024-12-23 12:06:59
Berlin — Tesla's "gigafactory" near Berlin was evacuated Tuesday after a fire and major power outage that was being investigated as a suspected case of arson. Police in the state of Brandenburg said they were inspecting a letter the force had received claiming that a far-left environmental organization known as Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) was responsible for the fire, but that it had yet to be authenticated.
With operations at the massive Tesla plant still suspended Wednesday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the daily newspaper Rheinische Post that "if a left-wing extremist motive is confirmed, then this is further proof that left-wing extremists do not even shy away from serious attacks on our energy infrastructure."
An area around the factory in Grünheide, about 30 miles east of Berlin, experienced power cuts from early Tuesday morning. Police said they were investigating the possibility of an arson attack after a fire damaged an electricity pylon in the area.
"If the initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure," said Brandenburg state Interior Minister Michael Stübgen. "This will have consequences. Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger."
According to a statement released by the ministry, unknown perpetrators were believed to have set fire to the high-voltage pylon in the eastern part of the state in the early morning hours. The fire damaged the high-voltage line to such an extent that the power supply to the surrounding villages and Tesla's nearby Giga Berlin plant were cut, leading to the evacuation and complete halt in production at the U.S. automaker's only European factory.
Tesla founder Elon Musk ridiculed the apparent activist attack in a post on his social media platform X, even mocking them in German.
"These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals," Musk said in the post. "Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm."
Tesla said it did not expect production to resume this week, and it estimated the cost to its operations at several hundred million euros.
The Brandenburg State Office of Criminal Investigation confirmed that an investigation was launched.
The letter sent to the Brandenburg Police and attributed to the Volcano Group, which is considered a left-wing extremist organization in Germany, calls for the "complete destruction of Tesla's Gigafactory," according to local media reports.
Regional authorities did not immediately draw any connection with protests that have taken place recently around the Tesla factory.
Since Feb. 29, around 80 to 100 environmental activists have occupied part of a state forest in Brandenburg near the Tesla plant, which Elon Musk's company hopes to clear to expand its site.
"I warn against premature speculation," Stübgen said about any possible link.
- In:
- Tesla
- Elon Musk
- Arson
- Environment
- Fire
- Germany
Anna Noryskiewicz is a CBS News journalist based in Berlin, Germany, who covers politics, conflict and crime in Europe and beyond. Anna worked previously for a range of global outlets including BBC News, NPR and Al Jazeera. She speaks five languages, including Mandarin, German, Polish and Russian.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (34221)
Related
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Death on the Arabian Sea: How a Navy SEAL fell into rough waters and another died trying to save him
- Burton Wilde: FinTech & AI Turbo Tells You When to Place Heavy Bets in Investments.
- Burton Wilde : Three Pieces of Advice and Eight Considerations for Stock Investments.
- Atmospheric river to bring heavy snow, rain to Northwest this week
- You'll Be Fifty Shades of Freaked Out By Jamie Dornan's Run-In With Toxic Caterpillars
- After stalling in 2023, a bill to define antisemitism in state law is advancing in Georgia
- Dealing with dry lips? There are many possible reasons.
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- Luigi Riva, all-time leading scorer for Italy men’s national team, dies at 79
Ranking
- Kentucky officer reprimanded for firing non-lethal rounds in 2020 protests under investigation again
- Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, 245,000 Jewish survivors are still alive
- Luigi Riva, all-time leading scorer for Italy men’s national team, dies at 79
- Stock market today: Chinese shares lead gains in Asia on report of market rescue plan
- Halle Berry surprises crowd in iconic 2002 Elie Saab gown from her historic Oscar win
- Proof Kylie Jenner Is Bonding With Kourtney Kardashian's Stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya
- This $329 Kate Spade Crossbody Is on Sale for Just $65 Today Only & It Literally Goes With Any Outfit
- Live updates | Palestinians flee heavy fighting in southern Gaza as US and UK bomb Yemen again
Recommendation
-
Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
-
College sophomore Nick Dunlap wins PGA Tour event — but isn't allowed to collect the $1.5 million prize
-
'Send your pup here!' Video shows incredible dog help rescue its owner from icy lake
-
Move to repeal new Virginia law on organized retail theft blocked for this year
-
Jake Paul's only loss led him to retool the team preparing him to face Mike Tyson
-
Floridians wait to see which version of Ron DeSantis returns from the presidential campaign trail
-
Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is only one of the storylines for AFC championship
-
Sarah Ferguson treated for skin cancer: What to know about melanoma, sunscreen
Like
- Judge set to rule on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case
- DeSantis Called for “Energy Dominance” During White House Run. His Plan Still is Relevant to Floridians, Who Face Intensifying Climate Impacts
- Oscar nominations are Tuesday morning. Expect a big day for ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Barbie’