A suspected arson attack led to widespread power disruptions in southern France on Saturday, affecting Cannes during its world-famous film festival as investigators look into the cause of a fire at a local power station.
Southern France experienced a major power outage on Saturday, including the city of Cannes, where the renowned Cannes Film Festival was taking place. Authorities have opened an investigation into a possible arson attack as the cause of the disruption.
The blackout originated from a fire at a high-voltage power station in Tanneron, a town located about 23 kilometers west of Cannes. According to the Alpes-Maritimes departmental office, the fire significantly disrupted power in the region. A spokesperson for the French national gendarmerie confirmed that officials are considering the likelihood that the fire was started intentionally. No arrests have been reported at this stage.
Local businesses in Tanneron, such as a café and a bakery, were without electricity on Saturday morning, leaving them unable to serve customers during peak hours.
Power returned partially in Cannes by the afternoon. The national electricity transmission operator, RTE, stated that work was underway to fully restore electricity to all affected areas within hours.
Despite the disruption, the Cannes Film Festival confirmed that the closing ceremony would proceed as planned on Saturday evening.
This incident follows a major blackout on April 28 that impacted the Iberian Peninsula, affecting Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of southern France. Spain’s electricity grid operator REE reported that the disturbance began in regions like Granada, Badajoz, and Seville. These areas rely heavily on photovoltaic solar energy and lack synchronized backup sources such as hydroelectric, thermal, or nuclear power, making them especially vulnerable to fluctuations.
As soon as France detected frequency instabilities from Spain’s power grid, it disconnected from the shared system to protect its own infrastructure. This move left the Iberian Peninsula isolated, which intensified the disruption.
Authorities continue to investigate the Tanneron fire while monitoring grid stability in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on ...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Georgia’s International Maritime Forum has closed in Batumi with officials setting out investment targets, timelines and technical plans aime...
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's aircraft was nearly struck by a drone while departing Moldova on its way to Norway, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the strikes a response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian tankers.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning that escalating drone warfare and attacks on civilian infrastructure are deepening the country's already devastating humanitarian crisis.
Climate leaders in Baku are calling for a shift from climate commitments to concrete action as day three of Baku Climate Action Week focuses on implementation, cooperation and measurable results.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has dissolved parliament and called a snap election for 25 October, as he seeks to extend his political influence by running for prime minister.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment