A major power outage believed to be the result of sabotage disrupted activities in Cannes, southern France, on Saturday, affecting the final day of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
The blackout, which began in the early hours of the morning, left around 160,000 homes in Cannes and nearby towns without electricity. French authorities say the outage was caused by a fire set at a power substation in the nearby village of Tanneron, followed by damage to an electricity pylon near Villeneuve-Loubet.
Prosecutors have launched an investigation and described the incidents as acts of deliberate sabotage.
The power cut affected businesses across the city, with many shops and restaurants struggling to operate. “Another hour and I’ll throw everything away,” said Laurent Aboukrat, owner of Jamin Restaurant in Cannes, speaking to French media. “My fridges have been off since morning.”
Australian film producer Darren Vukasinovic, who is attending the festival, told reporters, “Cannes is in a total slowdown. There’s no coffee anywhere, and I think the town has run out of croissants. This feels like a crisis.”
Several film screenings were interrupted due to the outage, causing delays in the morning. However, organisers of the Cannes Film Festival quickly responded by switching to private generators. They confirmed that the festival’s closing ceremony, where the Palme d’Or (the festival’s top prize) is awarded, would proceed as planned.
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most important events in the global film industry. It attracts top filmmakers, actors, and producers from all over the world. The final day, which features the announcement of major awards, is typically followed closely by industry professionals and film lovers.
French authorities are working to fully restore electricity and have not yet identified who was behind the suspected attacks. The incident has raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure, especially during international events.
Despite the disruption, the mood at the festival remained resilient, with many guests and organisers determined not to let the power cut overshadow the event’s finale. The winner of the Palme d’Or, selected by a jury led by French actress Juliette Binoche, is expected to be announced later in the evening.
