Elon Musk has criticized the arson attack that disrupted production at Tesla's car factory in Berlin, calling it “dumb.”
The incident, claimed by a far-left activist group called Volcano Group, targeted the facility over concerns about its use of resources and manpower. The disruption is expected to cost Tesla a substantial amount, “in the high nine-digit euro range,” with a delay in production likely until next week.
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The Volcano Group, in an online letter, claimed responsibility for sabotaging production by causing a fire near the plant, which caused power outages.
Although the fire did not reach the Tesla factory, it damaged an electricity tower and high-voltage cables. The group accused Tesla of resource consumption, labor exploitation, groundwater contamination and excessive use of drinking water.
State police are currently investigating the claims made in the letter. The Minister of the Interior of the state of Brandenburg, Michael Stuebgen, stressed that the rule of law will respond severely to such sabotage.
Complicating the situation are controversial expansion plans for the Berlin factory, which are opposed by some environmentalists due to possible tree felling. However, environmental activists, including the Robin Wood group, distanced themselves from the arson.
With about 100 people camping in a nearby forest, the Tesla factory, which produces approximately 500,000 cars a year, aims to double its capacity. Plant director Andre Thierig expects production to resume next week, but the financial cost of the disruption is expected to be significant.
