People waiting at a station after a significant power outage was reported by local authorities in Alpes-Maritimes in France on May 24, 2025.
Tens of thousands of residents across southern France faced sudden darkness over the weekend due to deliberate power cuts. On Sunday, a fire at an electrical transformer caused a major outage in and around Nice, affecting nearly 45,000 people.
This was the second blackout in two days. A larger power failure struck the region on Saturday, cutting electricity to about 160,000 homes. The outages disrupted key facilities including Cannes Airport, an aerospace company, and the Cannes Film Festival.
Saboteurs Claim Responsibility
Two groups identifying as anarchists claimed responsibility for the sabotage. Their joint statement appeared on an activist website on Sunday. They claimed their motive was to disrupt the high-profile Cannes Film Festival and strike other industrial and military targets in the area.
While the claim hasn't been independently verified, French prosecutors are investigating the possibility of coordinated sabotage. National media outlet FranceInfo confirmed that officials are taking the threat seriously, but no formal conclusions have been drawn yet.
Mayor of Nice Condemns the Attacks
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi strongly denounced the sabotage. He confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that both national and municipal police have been mobilized. Surveillance footage from the city’s monitoring systems will be handed over to investigators.
“These malicious acts are an attack on our country,” Estrosi said, promising a thorough investigation into the transformer fire.
Saturday’s Outage Caused by Fire and Pylon Damage
On Saturday, power in the Alpes-Maritimes area—including Cannes—was cut for over six hours. The outage started at around 10 a.m. local time and continued until 4:30 p.m. France’s electricity grid operator, RTE, initially reported the disruption without citing a cause.
Later, Sébastien Leroy, mayor of Mandelieu-La Napoule, shared on Facebook that the incident appeared to be a “double act of sabotage.” A fire had broken out at an electrical substation in Tanneron early Saturday morning. Shortly after, a nearby electricity pylon was found severely damaged.
Officials React to the Deliberate Damage
Laurent Hottiaux, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, issued a strong statement condemning the sabotage. He described the acts as “serious damage” and emphasized that authorities would pursue the perpetrators.
Investigators believe the attacks were timed to disrupt major local events and critical services. The Cannes Film Festival, which attracts international attention, seemed to be a particular target.
Cannes Film Festival Pushes Through with Generators
Despite the disruption, the Cannes Film Festival continued largely unaffected. Organizers quickly switched to backup power sources. According to a festival statement reported by Reuters, all screenings and events—including the grand closing ceremony—went ahead as planned.
FranceInfo noted that only two morning screenings on Saturday experienced brief interruptions of about five minutes each. The Palais des Festivals, the main venue, had already shifted to an independent power supply before the main events began.
Investigations Underway as Security Concerns Rise
With power restored, the focus now shifts to identifying those behind the sabotage. Officials are treating the incidents as criminal and deliberate. The dual nature of the attacks—targeting both a substation and a pylon—suggests a coordinated effort.
Security is being heightened in the region. Authorities remain on alert as the investigation continues. The threat to critical infrastructure during major international events has raised broader concerns about public safety and event security in France.
