French anarchists claim responsibility for blackouts in south of France

Two anarchist groups claimed responsibility for a significant power outage in Nice, affecting over 160,000 people and disrupting the Cannes Film Festival.

The blackout lasted five hours on Saturday due to a suspected arson attack on a substation and vandalism of a pylon.

In an anonymous letter, the groups stated their desire to "disrupt the festival" and "deprive all industrial establishments of electricity."

Damien Savarzeix, the public prosecutor, confirmed that three pillars of a pylon in Villeneuve-Loubet were intentionally damaged.

A subsequent fire in Nice left an additional 45,000 homes without power.