A Tesla "gigafactory" situated near Berlin faced an emergency evacuation following a fire outbreak and subsequent power outage, suspected to be an act of arson. The incident occurred in Grünheide, approximately 30 miles east of Berlin, and prompted authorities to investigate the cause and potential perpetrators behind the blaze.
Investigation Underway
After authorities suspected an arson attack on Tesla's gigafactory plant in Berlin, the automaker's shares fell 4.5%. Worse, the facility will have no power, and production is expected to resume next week.
Law enforcement in the state of Brandenburg initiated an investigation into the fire after receiving a letter implicating a far-left environmental group known as Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group). However, the authenticity of the letter is yet to be verified.
According to CBS News, the incident led to significant power disruptions in the vicinity, with suspicions of arson arising following the damage to an electricity pylon.
"If the initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure. This will have consequences. Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger," Brandenburg state Interior Minister Michael Stübgen said.
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Extent of Damage
The fire, which engulfed a high-voltage pylon, severely damaged the power infrastructure, disrupting the supply to nearby villages and Tesla's Giga Berlin plant. Consequently, the factory was evacuated, and production operations came to a halt.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the matter, led by the State Office of Criminal Investigation.
Potential Motives Behind Berlin Arson
The unverified letter received by the Brandenburg Police allegedly attributed the arson to the Volcano Group, identified as a left-wing extremist organization in Germany.
Reports suggest that the group called for the complete destruction of Tesla's Gigafactory. However, regional authorities have refrained from drawing immediate connections to ongoing protests in the area, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
Caution Against Speculation
In response to the incident, officials cautioned against premature speculation regarding any potential links between the arson attack and recent protests near the Tesla factory. The situation remains under investigation, with efforts focused on determining the motives behind the suspected act of sabotage.
As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and power outage, attention is directed toward ensuring the safety and security of the affected area and preventing further disruptions to operations at the Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin.
Tesla Shares Fell After Berlin Arson Attack
According to another report, the American automaker's shares dropped in the early trading hours of Tuesday, March 5, after it temporarily stopped production in the plant.
At 10:25 AM in New York, the shares are seen to fall 4.5% lower than usual.
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