Foreign
PROSECUTORS have begun an arson investigation after a power outage left about 20,000 households in Munich in the dark overnight, authorities in the southern German city said on Saturday.
The power was knocked out early on Friday after a fire.
The Police began investigating soon thereafter and the case has been handed to a unit that focuses on crimes with a political background.
“Political motives could be in play when you’re dealing with burning supply lines,’’ said one police spokesperson.
But authorities also cautioned that the probes are just starting and there is no way to say at the moment whether arson played a role and which motivations there might have been.
The blaze broke out in a construction site through which about 50 power cables run.
Eventually, about 150 relay stations were knocked out of service, causing a power outage.
Passers-by said they heard a strange rustling before a bang at the site.
When fire crews arrived, there were open flames at the site.
The fire pattern in the pit where the cables ran, which was about one metre deep, indicated arson, the police spokesman explained.
“We are still at the beginning of the investigation,’’ he stressed.
“At this stage, we cannot say whether there are connections with other crimes.’’
City officials say all affected households ought to have their power back by 6.00 p.m. (1600 GMT).
They said the repair work was slowed overnight by heavy rainfall.
If arson is proved, it would be the latest in a series of attacks on the city’s infrastructure stretching back to November 2019.
Unknown perpetrators have set fire to radio towers and other facilities, with the damage totaling 3.6 million euros ($4.4 million).
The Police pinned the blame on left-wing extremists, but their investigation has not led to any individuals for prosecution. (dpa/NAN)
– May 22, 2021 @ 15:28 GMT
Tags: After power outage hitting thousands Munich prosecutors investigate
