Major Power Outage Hits Paris: Thousands Affected Across the City

A widespread power outage hit Paris on Monday evening, affecting thousands of residents and businesses. The blackout began around 6:30 PM local time and lasted several hours, disrupting daily activities and public transportation.

Cause and Response

The French electricity operator, RTE, attributed the outage to a fault at a major substation in eastern Paris. Engineers were promptly dispatched and power restoration began around 9 PM, with full service resuming late at night.

Impact on the City

• Public safety: No injuries were reported despite the disruption.
• Transportation: Several metro lines faced delays or temporary closures; traffic lights were out in many busy intersections, causing traffic jams.
• Healthcare: Hospitals switched to backup generators to maintain critical services.
• Emergency services: Teams remained on alert to assist with urgent situations.

Authorities’ Actions and Recommendations

City officials urged residents to conserve energy and minimize electrical device use during the outage. The municipality is working with utility companies to enhance grid resilience to prevent future incidents.

Business and Infrastructure Concerns

Businesses, especially restaurants and shops, faced challenges from lost refrigeration and payment systems, leading to closures or limited service. Many hope for faster recovery and potential compensation.

This incident underscores the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and investment in alternative energy to reduce vulnerability to such disruptions.

Stay tuned for more updates from Questiqa Europe News.

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