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Suspected Sabotage Causes Major Power Outage in Cannes During Film Festival

A fire and downed pylons disrupted power for 160,000 households in southeastern France, briefly halting Cannes Film Festival screenings before backup systems restored operations.

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People waiting at a station after a significant power outage was reported by local authorities in Alpes-Maritimes in France on May 24, 2025.

Overview

  • A power outage struck southeastern France's Alpes-Maritimes region on May 24, impacting 160,000 households and disrupting traffic and communications.
  • The Cannes Film Festival, hosting its closing ceremony, switched to independent power sources to continue scheduled events without major disruptions.
  • Authorities suspect foul play, citing a fire at a Tanneron substation and evidence of electrical pylons being deliberately sawn and downed.
  • Traffic lights in Cannes and nearby Antibes failed, causing significant traffic jams, and internet connectivity was disrupted across the region.
  • Electricity grid operators RTE and Enedis are actively working to restore power as investigations into potential sabotage continue.