A second suspected sabotage incident led to a power cut in Nice, France, affecting over 45,000 homes following a fire at a substation. This comes just one day after a significant blackout in Cannes, linked to a similar act, prompting investigations into organized arson attacks.
Second Power Outage Strikes Nice Amid Suspected Sabotage
Second Power Outage Strikes Nice Amid Suspected Sabotage
Authorities investigate malicious acts after a fire at a substation leaves thousands without power in the French Riviera.
A troubling wave of power outages has struck the French Riviera in quick succession, as authorities in Nice reported a significant outage linked to a suspected act of sabotage. In the early hours of Sunday, around 02:00 local time, a fire at a substation resulted in a blackout impacting at least 45,000 homes. This incident occurred just a day after a major blackout in Cannes, during the bustling international film festival, which was believed to have stemmed from similar malicious acts.
Local police reported evidence of foul play at the Nice substation, citing "tyre tracks" and a "broken" door as indicators of a potential break-in. The outage not only disrupted power to homes but also impacted Nice Airport, the tramway network, and nearby towns like Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Power was gradually restored later that morning, but the incident raised alarms among local authorities.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, vehemently condemned the "malicious acts that affect our country," emphasizing the need for heightened security around critical infrastructure. Deputy mayor Gaël Nofri echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the cause of the fire was "probably of criminal origin."
While authorities have not yet connected the two events—the Nice substation fire and the Cannes blackout—both incidents are sparking urgent investigations into how and why these acts occurred. An inquiry focused on "organised arson" has been launched, as officials aim to understand the scale of the damage and the methods used in the criminal activity. Prosecutor Damien Martinelli has indicated that investigations are progressing, with law enforcement eager to uncover the truth behind these alarming disturbances.
