Power outage disrupts Cannes Film Festival amid possible arson investigation

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, a significant power outage struck southeastern France, particularly affecting the city of Cannes, where the renowned Cannes Film Festival was in progress. Around 160,000 households in the Alpes-Maritimes department lost power when a high-voltage line fell. The blackout followed a fire at an electrical substation that weakened the local grid overnight. As a result, traffic lights failed in Cannes and nearby Antibes, causing major disruptions. Shops along the Croisette closed, and the festival experienced interruptions in its scheduled events. However, the festival organizers promptly switched to an independent power supply, allowing most scheduled events to continue, including the highly anticipated Closing Ceremony. Investigators have opened a probe into the incident due to suspicions of arson related to the electrical facility damage. Initial reports indicate that a fire may have been purposely ignited, leading to the power issues that affected concert-goers and festival attendees. Traffic jams emerged in the downtown areas as the blackout also impacted train services. Authorities urged residents and festival visitors to remain cautious as restoration efforts were underway, highlighting the significance of ensuring public safety amidst these disruptions. As the situation unfolded, reports emerged that the festival managed to maintain its schedule for events inside the Palais des Festivals, the main venue. Nevertheless, screenings at the Cineum theatre experienced temporary halts due to the outage. By 3 p.m., supply was restored, and cheers erupted from locals as regular activities resumed. However, the overall chaos and confusion during the blackout highlighted the fragile state of local infrastructure and the far-reaching implications such events can have, especially during high-profile gatherings like the Cannes Film Festival, which draws international attention and visitors. In the aftermath, the city faced the consequences of disruptions, raising questions about the security of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced emergency protocols. With an investigation ongoing into potential criminal activity behind the blackout, both local officials and festival organizers sought to assure attendees and residents of their commitment to safety and the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.