French Authorities Probe Sabotage Behind Riviera Power Blackouts

Authorities in France have launched a criminal investigation into a series of suspected sabotage attacks that caused widespread power outages across the French Riviera, including a major disruption during the closing day of the Cannes Film Festival.

At least 45,000 people in Nice and surrounding areas were left without electricity after key infrastructure was targeted over the weekend. In the early hours of Sunday, an electrical transformer in western Nice was set ablaze, plunging thousands of homes and businesses into darkness.

The incident followed a separate fire on Saturday near Cannes, which authorities also suspect was an act of arson. Together, the two attacks affected around 160,000 households, disrupted traffic lights and cash machines, and rattled one of France’s most high-profile regions.

Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi strongly condemned what he described as “malicious acts” and confirmed that power had been restored quickly. “Local and national police were immediately mobilised,” he wrote on social media.

“We are handing over surveillance footage to investigators and will strengthen camera coverage around key infrastructure points.”

The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes region, Laurent Hottiaux, told broadcaster BFMTV that elements of the attacks were “not a coincidence” but declined to elaborate due to the ongoing national investigation. Authorities have since increased security measures around strategic electrical facilities in the region.

In the Saturday incident, BFMTV reported that three of the four support pillars of a regional electricity pylon had been sawn through, worsening the scale of the outage.

The power cut caused significant disruption in Cannes, including a blackout at the film festival headquarters, which interrupted screenings. However, the closing ceremony went ahead as scheduled, thanks to emergency generators.

The prestigious Palme d’Or was awarded to dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident, a drama rooted in his own experiences of political imprisonment.

The film follows five former inmates confronting their alleged torturer, sparking controversy in Tehran.

While Iranian authorities have remained publicly silent on Panahi’s victory, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot praised the film as “a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime’s oppression.” In response, Iran summoned France’s charge d’affaires to protest the remarks.

Despite the high-profile setting, investigators have not concluded that the power outages were directly aimed at the festival. No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have yet to identify any suspects.

However, right-wing French MEP Éric Ciotti labelled the incidents as acts of “terrorism” and urged a relentless crackdown. “These terrorist attacks must be fought relentlessly,” Ciotti wrote on X, warning that such acts could put lives at risk.

The incidents have heightened fears across Europe over state-sponsored sabotage. Officials have pointed to an increase in covert operations believed to be linked to foreign actors, particularly Russia, targeting infrastructure through arson, cyberattacks, and disinformation.

While no direct link to international sabotage has been confirmed in this case, the investigation remains ongoing, with heightened vigilance across France’s energy network as authorities work to prevent further disruption.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members