Garching (dpa/lby) – Two power pylons near Garching, close to Munich, were set on fire by unknown perpetrators. The incident resulted in a brief power outage in parts of Ismaning. Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) stated, “The current findings clearly indicate sabotage. Our state security is investigating with high priority.” He strongly condemned the insidious arson attack, emphasizing that while no one was injured, such acts target societal cohesion.
Investigation Underway as Sabotage is Suspected
According to the Munich Police Headquarters, the fire at a power pylon near Garching was reported in the early morning hours. Shortly thereafter, a second power pylon in the vicinity also caught fire. Both fires were quickly extinguished. The extent of the property damage was not immediately known.
Based on the damage pattern, officials currently assume arson. An immediate manhunt was unsuccessful. State security has taken over the investigation.
Previous Arson Attacks on Infrastructure in Munich
In recent years, critical infrastructure facilities in Munich have repeatedly been targets of arson attacks. For example, in May 2021, a widespread power outage occurred in the state capital after approximately 50 medium-voltage power cables were destroyed in a construction pit due to an apparently deliberately set fire. Investigators attribute many of these cases to perpetrators from the left-wing extremist spectrum, although concrete individuals have not been proven to have committed the acts.
“Anyone who attacks our infrastructure attacks our social cohesion. Bavaria is acting decisively and doing everything to quickly restore power supply and protect the population,” Herrmann stressed. Following the arson attack in Berlin at the turn of 2025/2026, the Bavarian police had already intensified their measures. Additionally, all 96 district administrative authorities are to be equipped with mobile emergency power generators for the fire department to largely secure the power supply in case of an emergency. 19 districts and independent cities have already received these systems.
In Berlin, on January 3, suspected left-wing extremists carried out an arson attack on a cable bridge, resulting in the longest power outage in Berlin’s post-war history. In the southwest of the city, 100,000 people in 45,000 households and more than 2,000 commercial enterprises were without power, and often without heating, for several days.
Regional Context and Broader Implications
This latest incident underscores a disturbing trend of attacks on critical infrastructure. The swift response of the fire department prevented further damage, but the underlying threat of such actions remains a significant concern for authorities. The ongoing investigation by state security highlights the serious nature of the incident and the potential for broader implications if such acts continue.
The Bavarian government’s proactive measures, including equipping administrative authorities with emergency power generators, demonstrate an awareness of these vulnerabilities and a commitment to ensuring public safety and essential services. The comparison to the Berlin incident further emphasizes the potential for widespread disruption and the need for robust security protocols.
The incident also brings to light the challenges faced by law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for such acts, especially when they are attributed to diffuse groups or ideologies. The focus remains on gathering evidence and bringing the perpetrators to justice, while simultaneously strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure against future attacks.
Source: https://www.traunsteiner-tagblatt.de/region/nachrichten-aus-bayern_artikel,-brandanschlag-auf-strommasten-bei-muenchen-_arid,997815.html
