NICE, France (AP) — A significant power outage occurred early Sunday in southeastern France, particularly affecting the city of Nice. This incident followed a suspected arson that damaged an electrical facility. The local police have not confirmed any connection between this blackout and another outage that took place on Saturday, which disrupted the closing day of the renowned Cannes Film Festival.
The blackout in Nice began around 2 a.m., leaving approximately 45,000 households without electricity. The city's trams ceased operations, and despite the overnight closure hours, power was briefly cut to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Fortunately, the energy provider, Enedis, reported that power was fully restored by 5:30 a.m.
In response to the incidents, the Nice public prosecutor has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter, specifically classifying it as "organized arson." Similarly, on Saturday, two other installations in the Alpes Maritime department were also damaged under suspicious circumstances, temporarily cutting power to an estimated 160,000 homes. This outage notably affected events taking place during the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant disruption during a high-profile event.
Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice, vehemently condemned the arson attack on Sunday and announced that the city has filed a complaint regarding the incident. In a statement shared on X, Estrosi expressed his strong disapproval of these malicious acts, emphasizing the serious consequences such actions could entail for essential services, particularly hospitals. He indicated that until the perpetrators are apprehended, the city will maintain a heightened state of alert.
Estrosi has also ordered that all sensitive electrical infrastructure within Nice is to be placed under police protection to prevent further incidents. Concerns about public safety and the stability of vital services have been raised in light of these attacks, which pose risks not only to infrastructure but also to citizens' well-being during emergencies.
The city of Nice and surrounding areas have been placed on high alert as the investigation continues. Authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety and security of their electrical facilities as they navigate the implications of these incidents, which have raised serious questions about public infrastructure resilience and the need for protective measures against such criminal acts.
