Massive blackout in France
{{date|November 4, 2006}}

On the night of November 3rd a blackout in [[w:France|France]] left 5 million in the dark. The blackout, which started at about 10 P.M. local time (2100UTC), is said to have affected the French capital, [[w:Paris|Paris]], and 15 other areas, including Rhône, Isère, Loire, Ain and Saône-et-Loire ([[w:Burgundy|Burgundy]]).

As of early Sunday morning, about 5 million people are still without power, and the French power authority, [[w:Électricité de France|Électricité de France]], said that the failure had originated in [[w:Germany|Germany]], which has also effected other European countries.

The blackout was triggered due to a sudden drop in temperature, which over heated the power system. The French emergency services were so overloaded with calls that they were forced to ask that people not call.

Air traffic around Paris was unaffected by the blackout.

== Related news ==

*{{Wikinews|title=Europe suffers widespread power cuts|date=November 5, 2006}}

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/05/europe/EU_GEN_France_Blackout.php
|title=Blackout leaves 5 million without power in France
|author=AP
|pub=International Herald Tribune
|date=November 4, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.paris-link-home.com/news/121/ARTICLE/1349/2006-11-05.html
|title=Blackout!
|author=Gareth Cartman
|pub=Paris Link
|date=November 4, 2006}}

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{{Archived}}
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]

[[de:Stromausfälle in weiten Teilen Europas]]
[[fr:La France subit une coupure d'électricité de grande ampleur]]
[[nl:Grote stroomuitval treft landen in Europa]]
On the night of November 3rd a blackout in France left 5 million in the dark. The blackout, which started at about 10 P.M. local time (2100UTC), is said to have affected the French capital, Paris, and 15 other areas, including Rhône, Isère, Loire, Ain and Saône-et-Loire (Burgundy).

As of early Sunday morning, about 5 million people are still without power, and the French power authority, Électricité de France, said that the failure had originated in Germany, which has also effected other European countries.

The blackout was triggered due to a sudden drop in temperature, which over heated the power system. The French emergency services were so overloaded with calls that they were forced to ask that people not call.

Air traffic around Paris was unaffected by the blackout.
France Energy Disasters and accidents Science and technology