Suspected Sabotage Causes Power Outages During Final Day of Cannes Film Festival

On the final day of the Cannes Film Festival, a large-scale power outage affected approximately 160,000 homes in Cannes and nearby areas in southern France. The disruption was caused by suspected acts of sabotage, including arson at a substation in Tanneron and deliberate damage to a power pylon in Villeneuve-Loubet. The power outage, which began early Saturday, caused temporary halts in various public and commercial activities. Shops, restaurants, and even film screenings were disrupted. Businesses like Cannes’ Jamin restaurant were at risk of losing perishables due to the electricity loss. The power was restored by the afternoon, and festival organizers managed to continue the day’s screenings and the planned closing ceremony using private generators. Despite the chaos, the festival’s prestigious Palme d’Or award ceremony, featuring French actress Juliette Binoche and her jury, will proceed as scheduled. French prosecutors are investigating the incidents, which they suspect were deliberate acts of sabotage. The situation highlights the vulnerability of public infrastructure and the critical role electricity plays during major international events like the Cannes Film Festival.