After the arson attack: Raúl Richter angry, Sarah Connor flees the cold, Franca Lehfeldt asks critical questions. These stars are without electricity and heat.
A large-scale power outage has been keeping large parts of southwest Berlin in suspense since Saturday morning, January 3, 2026. According to the authorities, around 45,000 to 50,000 households are without electricity and in some cases without heat. According to current investigations, the cause is an arson attack on a cable bridge. After a letter of responsibility from the left-wing extremist “Vulkan Group”, the police assume that the sabotage was politically motivated.
The consequences are significant: In individual areas, the power supply could not be fully restored until later this week, possibly not until Thursday, January 8, 2026. A central target of the activists was the residential areas in Berlin Zehlendorf and Wannsee. Some affected celebrities are now sharing their experiences with the power outage.
Sarah Connor flees to the hotel: “It’s just too cold”
Singer Sarah Connor was one of the first to speak out publicly. She described her family’s situation on Instagram and explained that they had decided to temporarily move into a hotel. “We have now decided to go to the hotel because it is just too cold and because it was somehow possible,” said the 45-year-old musician.
At the same time, she expressed clear criticism of crisis preparedness: “When I think about it, I think it’s pretty crazy and I wonder whether we couldn’t be better prepared for it in such a big city.”
Raúl Richter: “Just disgusting!”
Actor Raúl Richter, known from the series “Good Times, Bad Times”, also feels the effects of the power outage professionally. His company “Holy Flowers” is directly affected. “Our office and logistics are unfortunately affected by the electrical attack in Berlin,” wrote Richter. Particularly problematic: “Access to the offices is not possible because the doors are electronically secured.” In another statement, the 38-year-old was outraged by the crime and its consequences: “I don’t care at all what direction the attack comes from, it’s just disgusting! Friends are sitting in dark, cold apartments.”
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Franca Lehfeldt calls for answers about infrastructure security
Journalist Franca Lehfeldt, wife of former Finance Minister Christian Lindner, also found clear words. She explained that her family is among tens of thousands of households without electricity or heat. “The initial shock wears off and you ask yourself: How can it be that in the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany critical infrastructure is so easily accessible that it can be sabotaged for days?” she wrote. At the same time, she praised the commitment of the helpers and the solidarity in the neighborhoods.
Illner, Fler, Löw: Who else could be affected
Numerous other well-known personalities have residences in the affected districts – including presenter Maybrit Illner, rapper Fler, ex-national coach Joachim Löw and the actress couple Andrea Sawatzki and Christian Berkel. It is unclear whether they are currently affected by the power outage or are in other residences. There are no public statements yet. One thing is certain, however: the incident raises fundamental questions about the security of critical infrastructure in the capital – and affects celebrities and private individuals alike.