In a troubling turn of events, the French Riviera has experienced a second power outage in just two days, following a significant fire at a substation in Nice. This incident, which authorities are treating as a malicious act, occurred overnight and has left at least 45,000 homes without power. The blaze erupted around 02:00 local time (01:00 BST) on Sunday, marking a dramatic escalation after nearby Cannes faced a massive blackout just a day earlier.
The fire at the Nice substation had far-reaching impacts, affecting not only residential areas but also vital infrastructure. Key facilities such as Nice Airport and the local tramway network were disrupted, alongside the neighboring towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Although power was restored later in the morning, the incident raised serious concerns about security at critical electrical sites in the region.
Local authorities, including Nice's mayor, Christian Estrosi, have voiced their outrage over these malicious acts. In a statement on social media platform X, Estrosi condemned the events that jeopardize the safety and security of the country. Deputy mayor, Gaël Nofri, spoke to local media, suggesting that the fire was likely of criminal origin, indicating a serious need for enhanced security measures.
This incident in Nice follows a major blackout in Cannes, which occurred during the prestigious international film festival. Officials suspect that an arson attack on a substation caused the power outage, affecting approximately 160,000 homes in the city and surrounding areas. The blackout interrupted several film screenings before festival organizers managed to switch to private generators, demonstrating the considerable impact on both residents and visitors.
As investigations unfold, authorities have not yet established any direct link between the two outages. Nevertheless, Estrosi has announced plans to reinforce the security infrastructure around Nice's electrical facilities to prevent future incidents. Nice prosecutor Damien Martinelli confirmed that an investigation into organized arson is currently in progress. The authorities are particularly focused on determining the extent of the damage and the methods used in committing these acts.
The recent power outages in the French Riviera underscore the critical need for heightened security and vigilance in protecting vital infrastructure. As investigations continue, residents and officials alike are eager for answers and a resolution to the ongoing threats to public safety.
