Power outage in Treptow-Köpenick: Citizen survey on crisis management started!

Power outage in Treptow-Köpenick: Citizen survey on crisis management started!

On September 18, 2025, there was a large-scale power outage in Treptow-Köpenick, affecting thousands of households and businesses. The outage was caused by an arson attack in which arsonists deliberately damaged two power pylons. A total of around 45,000 households and commercial customers were affected, many of whom remained without power until Wednesday. According to initial reports, the governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) condemned the incident and emphasized that no hospitals were directly affected, although nursing facilities had to be evacuated.

This incident not only caused the immediate power supply in Treptow-Köpenick to stagnate, but also led to a failure of the emergency telephone directory DiDaKat, which further complicated the situation. Schools, daycare centers and nursing homes were left in the dark, and more than ten schools had to remain closed on Wednesday. In the first few days, some households were able to get electricity again, but the majority of affected citizens had to resort to alternative options. In order to better manage the situation in the future, the Treptow-Köpenick district office has launched an online survey that is aimed at everyone affected and emphasizes the importance of citizens' experiences.

Citizen participation

The survey aims to collect crisis preparedness information and identify potential vulnerabilities. District mayor Oliver Igel emphasizes that transparency and feedback from citizens are crucial for improving emergency and crisis planning. Participants are asked to rate their level of information during the power outage, describe specific problems, and express what support they would like to receive in the event of similar situations. Participation is anonymous and only takes a few minutes.

The survey is now available online and can be accessed using the following link: Power outage situation survey.

Critical infrastructure and disaster protection

Such a large-scale power outage has profound effects on various areas of life, such as communication, healthcare and mobility. Studies such as those conducted by the Office for Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag have already examined the drastic consequences of a long-lasting power outage in 2010. While the likelihood of such an event is considered low, it is noted that the impact would be catastrophic. Critical infrastructure, such as water and wastewater supply, would be particularly affected.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance warns that citizens should also prepare for power outages. This includes stocking up on food, water, flashlights and batteries. Emergency plans are drawn up by KRITIS operators in order to be able to maintain supply even in an emergency.

The investigation into the arson attack is being conducted by the State Security Service, while the police are securing the crime scene and examining further consequences, including possible consequences for civil protection. In this tense situation, Stromnetz Berlin GmbH appeals to customers who are already connected to reduce their electricity consumption in order to ensure grid stability and accelerate further repair of the damage.

The events in Treptow-Köpenick illustrate the need for well-functioning crisis planning and the role that every citizen can play. The lessons learned from this crisis will contribute significantly to future community preparedness and protection.

For more details on the impact of power outages and recommended actions, interested readers can refer to the comprehensive information on the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief consult.