Recent events in the French Riviera have resulted in significant power outages, leading authorities to suspect acts of sabotage. Just days after a major blackout disrupted the Cannes Film Festival, Nice faced a similar fate when a substation fire on Sunday morning affected approximately 45,000 homes. This incident, occurring around 2 AM local time, has raised alarms over potential criminal activities linked to the recent disruptions.
Power Outages Plague French Riviera Amid Suspected Sabotage
Power Outages Plague French Riviera Amid Suspected Sabotage
A series of power cuts in Nice raises suspicions of targeted attacks on energy infrastructure.
The fire at the substation, located in western Nice, was deemed to have been maliciously ignited. Police reports revealed "tire tracks" leading to the site and notes that the substation's door was forcibly broken. This incident coincides with the recent spate of power-related issues, particularly a previous blackout affecting around 160,000 homes in Cannes, attributed to a suspected arson attack. Notably, the timing of these incidents during the bustling film festival in Cannes has sparked heightened scrutiny and concern amongst local officials.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, publicly condemned the malicious nature of these attacks, stressing their impact on the community. Meanwhile, the city's deputy mayor, Gaël Nofri, suggested that the fire's origins might be of criminal nature. Authorities have indicated that while there is yet no confirmed connection between the two blackouts, investigations into "organised arson" have been launched to assess the damages and the methods employed in these acts. Furthermore, increased security measures around energy sites have been promised to prevent future incidents.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, publicly condemned the malicious nature of these attacks, stressing their impact on the community. Meanwhile, the city's deputy mayor, Gaël Nofri, suggested that the fire's origins might be of criminal nature. Authorities have indicated that while there is yet no confirmed connection between the two blackouts, investigations into "organised arson" have been launched to assess the damages and the methods employed in these acts. Furthermore, increased security measures around energy sites have been promised to prevent future incidents.
