Blackout in south of France: What is known about suspected attacks on electricity grid

A series of blackouts caused by suspected attacks on power infrastructure since Friday (May 23) has caused widespread disruption in the south of France, with investigators scrambling to find the perpetrators.

In less than 48 hours, three separate events have disrupted power to over 200,000 homes across the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments - affecting daily life, public transport, and even the final day of the Cannes Film Festival.

The latest involved a fire at an electrical substation in the Moulins district of Nice in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, causing a blackout that affected around 45,000 homes in the city and nearby communes including Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. 

The tram network and airport were briefly impacted, with full power restored by 06:00.

According to Nice public prosecutor Damien Martinelli, the fire is being treated as a case of “deliberate damage”, and signs of forced entry were discovered at the site. A criminal investigation is underway, led by the local judicial police, for organised arson.

The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, condemned the incident as a “malicious act” and said the city would file a complaint. 

He confirmed that surveillance footage from the municipal control centre has been handed to investigators, and that security would be reinforced at key electricity sites.

Cannes Film Festival affected

The fire comes less than 24 hours after two other attacks in the region: a high-voltage substation was set on fire in Var, and a pylon was deliberately cut down in Alpes-Maritimes. 

Read more: ‘Cataclysmic scenes’ in Var as roads and homes destroyed by violent storms

These earlier incidents caused power outages for approximately 160,000 households, including in Cannes during the final day of its international film festival. 

Emergency generators allowed the ceremony to go ahead without major disruption.

While no formal link has been confirmed between the events, Alpes-Maritimes prefect Laurent Hottiaux said “a number of factors suggest this is more than just coincidence”. 

He added that although there was no specific threat to the festival, anti-terrorism precautions remained in place.

Deputy Nice mayor Gaël Nofri said the door to the substation in the Moulins district had been forced, according to information from the fire brigade. He said surveillance would be stepped up across the city.

MP Eric Ciotti called the incidents “extremely serious” and warned that such actions “can endanger lives and seriously disrupt daily life”.

The investigation into what authorities are treating as deliberate attacks on the electricity grid is ongoing.