Second Power Outage Sparks Suspicions of Sabotage in Nice

Authorities in Nice are investigating a second suspected act of sabotage after a fire at a substation resulted in widespread power outages, impacting over 45,000 homes. This follows a significant blackout in Cannes, also linked to suspected malicious activities, during a high-profile film festival.

 

In a troubling turn of events, the French Riviera has faced its second power outage in less than 48 hours, this time affecting the city of Nice following a fire that authorities suspect was deliberately set. The blaze erupted around 02:00 local time on Sunday, leaving at least 45,000 homes without electricity, particularly impacting Nice Airport, tram networks, and surrounding areas like Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer.

The incident follows a massive blackout in Cannes just a day prior that was also attributed to suspected sabotage during the busy international film festival. That blackout led to a disruption in various film screenings and affected around 160,000 homes, prompting festival organizers to rely on private generators to continue their events.

Local police have reported finding "tyre tracks" near the damaged substation door, which had been forcibly opened, suggesting the possibility of criminal action. Nice's Mayor, Christian Estrosi, expressed his outrage on social media, calling out the "malicious acts" that threaten public safety in the area. Deputy mayor Gaël Nofri echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the increasing fears of organized crime in the region as the substation fire is now under investigation for "criminal origin."

While there’s currently no confirmed connection between the two incidents, authorities are taking precautions by enhancing security measures around Nice’s electrical facilities. Investigators are probing the circumstances surrounding the fire, hoping to determine the extent of the damage and the methods employed in committing these malicious acts. This investigation into what appears to be organized arson reflects a growing concern about safety in the region as the community remains alert to the threats impacting their daily lives.