Musk visits Tesla Gigafactory in Germany after suspected arson attack | Wilnesh News

Elon Musk on Wednesday visited Tesla’s Gigafactory near Berlin, which was forced to halt production last week after it lost power after an alleged arson attack.

Photos show Musk waving to workers as he arrived at the factory in the German state of Brandenburg and addressing them on a stage in a tent as workers gathered to greet him.

Local media also reported that Musk told the crowd “I love you” in German, but his further comments were drowned out by a factory vehicle parked in front of reporters and blaring music.

Local media quoted state government sources as saying that Musk was expected to meet with regional politicians during his visit to Germany. CNBC could not independently verify the reports.

Last week, the Gigafactory fell into a power outage and had to temporarily halt production due to a suspected arson incident at a nearby substation. Tesla said the incident was targeted at the company, In a statement from social media platform.

The left-wing extremist group “Vulkangruppe” claimed responsibility for the attack in a letter posted online, criticizing Tesla’s environmental capabilities. Regional authorities are still investigating the case.

The Brandenburg factory is planning to expand, but the project has faced strong resistance from locals and environmental groups because it would mean the destruction of forests in the area. Activists camped near the factory to protest.

The plant was reconnected to the grid earlier this week. According to a CNBC translation, Gigafactory union president Michaela Schmitz told local radio station rbb24 that the Gigafactory had resumed production on Wednesday.

She added that employees were paid their full wages during the shutdown.