Power outages in Nice and Cannes raise alarm as investigations uncover signs of sabotage, prompting calls for increased security measures at electric facilities.
Surge of Sabotage: Second Power Outage Hits France's Riviera Region
Surge of Sabotage: Second Power Outage Hits France's Riviera Region
Authorities investigate two consecutive power outages in Southern France, with suspicions of malicious acts following a fire at a substation in Nice.
In a stark escalation of events, the French Riviera region has experienced a second significant power outage within 48 hours, this time due to a fire at a substation in Nice that authorities suspect was ignited by a malicious act. The blaze erupted around 2:00 AM local time on Sunday and left at least 45,000 homes without electricity. This incident follows a massive blackout in nearby Cannes just a day earlier, which officials also attribute to suspected sabotage.
Local police reported finding "tire tracks" near the damaged substation, where the door was allegedly broken open. The impact of the incident rippled beyond residential areas, affecting operations at Nice Airport and the tramway network, as well as neighboring towns like Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Power was finally restored later that morning.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, expressed his condemnation of the "malicious acts" on social media platform X. His deputy, Gaël Nofri, indicated that the fire was likely "of criminal origin." This destructive trend began with a major blackout in Cannes during the renowned international film festival, which affected approximately 160,000 homes. The festival's screenings were disrupted until private generators could be activated.
Currently, investigators have yet to establish a direct connection between the two power outages. However, Estrosi announced that measures would be taken to enhance security around Nice's electrical infrastructure. The Nice prosecutor, Damien Martinelli, confirmed that investigations are actively underway, focusing not only on identifying the extent of the damage but also on exploring how the acts were carried out. Authorities are looking into the possibility of organized arson as they work to uncover the truth behind these alarming occurrences.
