News
Deliberate Fire at Power Transformer Plunges 45,000 Homes Into Darkness in Nice
Nearly 45,000 homes were left without electricity on Saturday night after a fire, believed to have been intentionally set, broke out at an electrical transformer in the western part of Nice, according to local officials.
The blaze, which erupted in the Moulins district, caused a widespread power outage that impacted not only Nice but also parts of the nearby towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. The disruption occurred just hours after the closing of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, held less than 30 kilometers away.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “malicious act that affects our country.” In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Estrosi announced that additional security measures would be implemented at critical electrical infrastructure sites throughout the city. He also confirmed that a formal legal complaint would be filed.
Electricity was gradually restored across the affected areas, with full service resuming by 6 a.m. on Sunday, utility officials said.
The fire in Nice came just one day after a separate, large-scale power outage hit the Cannes region, disrupting electricity for approximately 160,000 homes. That incident was also attributed to sabotage, involving a high-voltage substation fire in the Var department and the felling of a power pylon in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Despite the sabotage, the Cannes Film Festival was able to continue as scheduled on its final day, relying on an independent power source for the closing ceremonies. Power was restored to the wider region by late Saturday afternoon.
So far, authorities say there is no evidence linking the two power outages. However, the back-to-back incidents have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of France’s electrical infrastructure.
Local law enforcement and the public prosecutor’s office have launched investigations into both events. Officials have not yet released details regarding potential suspects or motives behind the apparent acts of sabotage.
As security is stepped up and investigations continue, residents and authorities alike remain on high alert for further disruptions.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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