Authorities are investigating two incidents of power disruptions, with the latest affecting over 45,000 homes after a fire at a Nice substation, following a similar blackout in Cannes during its film festival.
Second Sabotage Incident in France: Power Outage Strikes Nice amid Growing Concerns
Second Sabotage Incident in France: Power Outage Strikes Nice amid Growing Concerns
A second power outage linked to suspected sabotage hits Nice in less than 48 hours, raising alarm in the French Riviera.
The French Riviera is reeling from a second suspected act of sabotage that led to a significant power outage in Nice overnight. Local authorities reported that a fire ignited around 02:00 local time at a substation in the western area of the city. The blaze is suspected to have been deliberately set, and it disrupted the electricity supply to at least 45,000 homes.
This latest incident follows a massive power cut experienced in Cannes just one day earlier, which left around 160,000 residents without electricity. That blackout was also attributed to a suspected act of arson targeting a substation during the high-profile film festival.
Police investigations in Nice revealed "tyre tracks" and a "broken" door at the substation, suggesting a criminal act. Nice’s Mayor, Christian Estrosi, took to social media platform X to condemn the “malicious acts” affecting the country, while Deputy Mayor Gaël Nofri noted the incident at the substation“probably had a criminal origin.”
As power was eventually restored, the impact of the outages was felt particularly acutely during the Cannes Film Festival, where several screenings were interrupted before organizers implemented backup measures using generators.
Currently, no direct connection between the two incidents has been established; however, authorities are taking steps to bolster security around electrical infrastructure. An investigation has been launched to determine the details of the incidents, focusing on "organized arson," according to Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli.
Officials have indicated that securing the city's electric sites is now a priority following these alarming developments.
This latest incident follows a massive power cut experienced in Cannes just one day earlier, which left around 160,000 residents without electricity. That blackout was also attributed to a suspected act of arson targeting a substation during the high-profile film festival.
Police investigations in Nice revealed "tyre tracks" and a "broken" door at the substation, suggesting a criminal act. Nice’s Mayor, Christian Estrosi, took to social media platform X to condemn the “malicious acts” affecting the country, while Deputy Mayor Gaël Nofri noted the incident at the substation“probably had a criminal origin.”
As power was eventually restored, the impact of the outages was felt particularly acutely during the Cannes Film Festival, where several screenings were interrupted before organizers implemented backup measures using generators.
Currently, no direct connection between the two incidents has been established; however, authorities are taking steps to bolster security around electrical infrastructure. An investigation has been launched to determine the details of the incidents, focusing on "organized arson," according to Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli.
Officials have indicated that securing the city's electric sites is now a priority following these alarming developments.
