Major Power Outage Hits Paris: Thousands Affected Across the City

A major power outage struck Paris on Tuesday evening, impacting thousands of residents and businesses across the city. The blackout began at approximately 6:30 PM local time and affected several central districts as well as surrounding areas.

Cause of the Outage

The disruption was traced to a fault at a critical electrical substation in the 11th arrondissement. Officials from Électricité de France (EDF) reported that a short circuit triggered an automatic shutdown to protect the grid from damage. Engineers were dispatched immediately to assess and address the problem.

Impact on Services

The power outage resulted in multiple challenges throughout Paris:

• Emergency services received increased calls related to traffic accidents due to malfunctioning traffic lights and medical emergencies requiring backup power.
• Public transportation faced disruptions with several metro lines operating on limited service.
• Businesses reported losses as many restaurants closed early and shops stopped operations until electricity was restored.
• Citizens expressed concerns over food spoilage and communication difficulties, with mobile phone charging and internet services affected.

Response and Restoration Efforts

Authorities advised motorists to exercise caution and residents to avoid non-essential travel. The Paris metro authority prioritized safety and power restoration at critical stations.

EDF technicians began power restoration around 9 PM, aiming for full recovery by midnight. They have committed to a thorough investigation of the fault and preventative measures for the future.

Broader Implications

This outage is among the most significant in recent years, highlighting concerns about the ageing electricity infrastructure in Paris, especially during extreme weather, as temperatures recently dropped below freezing.

Experts underscore the urgency of upgrading infrastructure to manage rising demand and climate challenges. EDF has pledged to accelerate projects to modernize and strengthen grid reliability.

Preparedness Advice

Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential future outages by keeping emergency supplies ready, such as:

• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Non-perishable food items

Stay tuned to Questiqa Europe News for the latest updates on this developing situation.

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