SHARE
COPY LINK

CRIME

Baltic island Usedom terrorised by arson spree

Another northern German island has become the target of arsonists. After this summer’s series of fires on the North Sea island of Sylt, police said Monday they are investigating similar fires set on Usedom in the Baltic Sea.

Baltic island Usedom terrorised by arson spree
Photo: DPA

Following seven fires on the island’s southern peninsula of Lieper Winkel, police in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have begun undercover operations to nab the culprit, police spokeswoman Denise Lemke said.

The most recent fire, set some two weeks ago, marked a new escalation in the arson spree, prompting police to intensify their investigation, she added.

Officers have no solid leads on suspects, but have refused to reveal more details despite growing concerns among residents.

“We understand the fears and worries of residents concerned about their homes,” Lemke said. “We are doing something, even when the investigations can’t be made apparent to the public.”

The string of fires on Usedom actually began before those on Sylt this summer. In August Sylt police arrested a 46-year-old suspect after fire fighters put out a series of blazes over the course of a week.

The first fire on Usedom was in June, though. It started with hay bales and scrap wood, but the perpetrator has grown bolder, moving on to animal stalls and a family home, police said.

According to their estimate, the perpetrator has probably observed his targets extensively before lighting the fires, because each time property owners were not home, police said.

Meanwhile residents of the picturesque holiday destination region remain anxious.

Head of the southern Usedom regional administration office and tourism board member Karl-Heinz Schröder called the situation “uncomfortable.”

“We’re hoping for a quick explanation,” he said.

DAPD/ka

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

BUSINESS

Elon Musk visits Tesla’s sabotage-hit German factory

Elon Musk travelled Wednesday to Tesla's factory near Berlin to lend his workers "support" after the plant was forced to halt production by a suspected arson attack on nearby power lines.

Elon Musk visits Tesla's sabotage-hit German factory

The Tesla CEO addressed thousands of employees on arrival at the site, accusing “eco-terrorists” of the sabotage as he defended his company’s green credentials.

With his son X AE A-XII in his arms, Musk said: “I am here to support you.”

The billionaire’s visit came a week after power lines supplying the electric carmaker’s only European plant were set on fire in an act of sabotage claimed by a far-left group called the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group).

READ ALSO: Far-left group claims ‘sabotage’ on Tesla’s German factory

Musk had said then that the attack was “extremely dumb”, while the company said it would cost it several hundred million euros.

A week on, the lights have come back on at the site, but Andre Thierig, who heads the site, said on LinkedIn that it would “take a bit of time” before production is back to full speed.

Industry experts have warned that the reputational impact caused by the sabotage on the region could be more severe than the losses suffered by Tesla.

Tesla’s German plant started production in 2022 following an arduous two-year approval and construction process dogged by administrative and legal obstacles.

Tesla wants to expand the site by 170 hectares and boost production up to one million vehicles annually to feed Europe’s growing demand for electric cars and take on rivals who are shifting away from combustion engine vehicles.

But the plans have annoyed local residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding ballot last month.

After the vote, Tesla said it might have to rethink the plans. Environmental activists opposed to the expansion of the factory have recently also set up a camp in a wooded area near the plant.

READ ALSO: Why is Tesla’s expansion near Berlin so controversial?

SHOW COMMENTS