Power failure in Cannes: 160,000 households affected

A massive power failure paralyzed large parts of the city of Cannes on Saturday morning and surrounding communities in the Alpes-Maritimes department. As the French power grid operator RTE announced, around 160,000 households are cut off from the power supply. The cause: two consecutive incidents in the power grid – including an apparently deliberate fire in a high -voltage station and the collapse of a current mast.

Despite the large -scale failure, the organizers of the 78th International Film Festival from Cannes Development: The final ceremony planned for the evening can take place as planned. The festival building, the palace of the festival, has been switched to an independent electricity system and has an emergency generator. « All planned events and film screenings take place under normal conditions, » says an official announcement of the festival management.

Alleged arson attack and technical failure

Already on the night of Saturday there was a fire in a high -voltage station in Tanneron (VAR). The local prefecture confirmed to the AFP news agency that according to initial knowledge, it is arson. The fire was brought under control at around 7 a.m. by using seven fire trucks and twenty firefighters.

Just a few hours later, around 10 a.m., a power mast of a high -voltage line fell that Cannes supplied energy. As a result of this technical defect, the power supply collapsed in large parts of the city and in neighboring communities. So far, the operator RTE has not been able to name a precise time when the supply will be completely restored.

Traffic lights, business closures and disturbed communication

The power failure had an immediate effect on the everyday life of the population. A traffic light systems failed in several districts and numerous businesses had to close. The mobile phone and internet network was also disrupted at times and only worked unreliable. Several film screenings were interrupted in the Palais of the Festival in the morning, but could be continued after about 15 minutes.

Live broadcast of the award ceremony secured

Despite the tense situation, the crowning glory of this year’s film festival is secured: the awarding of the Golden Palm, which will be broadcast live from 6:40 p.m., is not at risk. According to the organizers, the festival center is completely electricity -level.

The authorities work with high pressure to restore the power supply and determine the cause of the fire. It is currently still unclear whether there is a connection between the fire in Tanneron and the collapse of the electricity mast.