In recent days, the picturesque region of the French Riviera has faced significant disruptions due to power outages, sparking fears of deliberate attacks. Following a fire at a substation in Nice, which authorities are treating as an act of sabotage, over 45,000 homes were left without electricity earlier today. This incident follows another blackout in Cannes, where a suspected arson attack affected approximately 160,000 residents, coinciding with the city's renowned film festival.

The fire in Nice occurred shortly after 2:00 AM local time, with police discovering evidence such as tire tracks and a broken door at the substation site. Local officials, including Nice's mayor Christian Estrosi, have condemned these 'malicious acts' affecting the community. The mayor's deputy, Gaël Nofri, confirmed the fire's potential criminal origin, while Nice Airport and the tramway network also faced interruptions from the outage.

Investigations into the incidents are ongoing, with authorities reinforcing security measures at electrical sites in Nice. Prosecutor Damien Martinelli stated that efforts are concentrated on clarifying the events and ascertaining the extent of the damage caused. Despite these two incidents occurring in close proximity and time, no direct connection between them has yet been established, leaving residents concerned and authorities vigilant in their response to potential organized criminal activity.