Sub-zero temperatures have not only affected Berlin, but the entire east. The cold can be felt everywhere. After weeks of continuous frost, the Baltic Sea off Sassnitz is largely frozen over. The Sassnitz lighthouse is covered with a thick layer of ice on the side facing the waves, created by frozen spray that has been deposited on the tower for days. This makes the lighthouse look as if it is wrapped in a “sparkling ice shell,” a rare and extremely photogenic natural phenomenon. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, this led to a state of emergency in Sassnitz’s city harbor. Thousands of people, both tourists and locals, flocked to the harbor to see the icy lighthouse, despite urgent warnings from the water police.
The access roads to the port of Sassnitz were completely congested, and traffic came to a standstill at times. Every available space was used as a parking lot. Crowds of people with sleds and strollers pushed their way toward the pier and harbor dam, partially clearing the barrier to the pier. Sales stands and fishing boats benefited from the rush and recorded good sales.
Despite warnings, many visitors ventured onto the ice around the harbor, mostly to take photos. The water police issued an urgent warning: the ice on the Baltic Sea is treacherous. Wind, waves, and salt water prevent a safe, stable ice cover. Even seemingly solid ice surfaces are not reliably stable. If the ice breaks, there is an acute danger to life due to the very cold water temperatures. Rescues would also be extremely difficult and dangerous, even for the emergency services.
Photo: @barnim_ist_schoen (Instagram)
The Prorer Wiek, the bay off Sassnitz, was covered with ice far out to sea. Even the damaged oil tanker “Eventin,” which has been secured for about a year, was completely surrounded by ice. The ice also affected the operation of the Rügen LNG terminal: a waiting gas tanker was initially unable to call at the terminal. The operator, Deutsche Regas, explained that the shipping channel must first be ice-free and passable.
On Monday afternoon, February 9, 2026, the police in Sassnitz closed off the pier and the path to the lighthouse.