This incident raises concerns over safety and security in France as investigations into organized sabotage begin.
Second Power Sabotage Strikes the French Riviera: Nice Outage Follows Cannes Blackout
Second Power Sabotage Strikes the French Riviera: Nice Outage Follows Cannes Blackout
Authorities suspect malicious intent behind power outages in Nice and Cannes, affecting thousands.
In a troubling sequence of events, the picturesque French Riviera faced its second power outage in just two days, as a fire at a substation in Nice has been confirmed as a suspected act of sabotage. The incident unfolded around 2:00 AM local time on Sunday, affecting at least 45,000 households. This incident occurred just a day after a significant blackout in nearby Cannes, which was similarly attributed to suspected sabotage.
Local police reported findings of "tire tracks" and a "broken" door at the Nice substation, alluding to potential foul play, according to media sources. Power disruptions were not limited to residences; Nice's airport and tramway system, as well as the adjoining towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer, also experienced outages before power was restored later in the morning.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, expressed his outrage on the platform X, condemning the "malicious acts that affect our country." Meanwhile, deputy mayor Gaël Nofri indicated a strong likelihood that the fire was of criminal origin. The day prior, Cannes—hosting an internationally significant film festival—suffered a blackout affecting about 160,000 homes, with initial reports suggesting arson as a possible cause.
The power interruptions during the festival caused disruptions to screenings until festival organizers managed to switch to private generators. Currently, authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the two power cuts; however, Estrosi announced plans to heighten security measures around electrical infrastructures within Nice. An investigation has begun focusing on "organized arson," as Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli stated that inquiries are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage and the specifics of the attacks.
Local police reported findings of "tire tracks" and a "broken" door at the Nice substation, alluding to potential foul play, according to media sources. Power disruptions were not limited to residences; Nice's airport and tramway system, as well as the adjoining towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer, also experienced outages before power was restored later in the morning.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, expressed his outrage on the platform X, condemning the "malicious acts that affect our country." Meanwhile, deputy mayor Gaël Nofri indicated a strong likelihood that the fire was of criminal origin. The day prior, Cannes—hosting an internationally significant film festival—suffered a blackout affecting about 160,000 homes, with initial reports suggesting arson as a possible cause.
The power interruptions during the festival caused disruptions to screenings until festival organizers managed to switch to private generators. Currently, authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the two power cuts; however, Estrosi announced plans to heighten security measures around electrical infrastructures within Nice. An investigation has begun focusing on "organized arson," as Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli stated that inquiries are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage and the specifics of the attacks.
