A group of left-wing extremists, identifying themselves as "Vulkangruppe Tesla Abschalten" or "Volcano Group," has claimed responsibility for the suspected arson attack that caused a shutdown at the Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin. In a statement posted on Kontrapolis.info, the group stated their intention was to cause a major blackout at the Gigafactory, citing environmental and labor concerns as their motivation.

The attack took place on Tuesday, when an electricity pylon near the facility was targeted, resulting in a cut-off of power to the factory. As a result, production at the Gigafactory has been halted, with estimates suggesting that it won't resume until at least early next week. The outage is expected to cost Tesla significant losses in the "high hundreds of millions of euros."

Tesla CEO Elon Musk condemned the attack and referred to the Volcano Group as "the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth." The extremist group, however, claimed victory in their statement, declaring that they had successfully sabotaged Tesla. They accused the Gigafactory of causing harm to the environment, consuming vast resources, exploiting labor, and producing a large number of SUVs, which they deemed as "killing machines and monster trucks."

The group's statement also echoed concerns raised by local water authority officials in February, accusing the Gigafactory of contaminating groundwater and consuming large quantities of drinking water in the production of electric vehicles. Plans to expand the German Tesla factory in Grünheide have faced obstacles, including opposition from locals in a nonbinding survey earlier this year. Critics argue that the expansion poses risks to water protection zones in the drought-affected Brandenburg region, where Grünheide is located.

German police believe the authenticity of the Volcano Group's letter, signed "Agua De Pau" after a volcanic mountain in the Azores. Authorities point out that crimes committed under the Vulkangruppe alias have been reported since 2011, often using the names of Icelandic volcanoes. The group had previously claimed responsibility for an arson attack during the construction of the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide in 2021.

The incident has raised concerns about the security of Tesla's facilities and the potential risks posed by extremist groups. As investigations continue, measures to prevent future attacks on the Gigafactory and ensure the safety of its employees will be of utmost importance.

This incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by industries at the intersection of environmental concerns and economic development, as well as the ongoing tensions between local communities, businesses, and activists striving for sustainable solutions.