French authorities reported that three individuals were detained in Cannes after power and gas services were interrupted in a major police complex and throughout a central district. The incident, described by a local police spokesperson as a serious disruption, prompted immediate police action and ongoing investigations by the forces involved. The detentions were confirmed as part of a preliminary security review following the events at the city’s station and nearby facilities.
Initial statements indicated that two energy workers from GrDF and one technician from Enedis were found on site and taken into custody. While the early details emphasized the trespass and tampering with essential services, officials stressed that a thorough inquiry would determine the exact motives and whether other parties were involved. The operations remain the subject of ongoing legal scrutiny as authorities pursue a full account of the disruptions and any possible connections to broader demonstrations.
The General Confederation of Labour CGT claimed responsibility for the action, with Celine Petit, the union’s deputy general secretary for the Alpes-Maritimes department, providing comments to the press about the reasons behind the measures and the broader context of labor reform debates in France. The CGT frame focused on pension policy changes and the perceived impact on workers, signaling a willingness to mobilize in defense of public services and social protections amid nationwide discussions on retirement rules.
The disruption affected a wide area in Cannes, including the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, a central venue that hosted guests during the Cannes Film Festival. Residents and local businesses experienced a gas blackout, while a significant portion of the district lost access to natural gas for heating and cooking. The power supply to the city police station was also interrupted, triggering safety concerns and a rapid response from emergency services to safeguard critical infrastructure and the surrounding public spaces.
As protests relating to pension reform gathered nearby, several hundred demonstrators assembled near the main railway station following a call by the CGT. Banners bearing messages against pension reform appeared, and some participants voiced their views as they moved through the area. The demonstration, lasting through the early evening hours, drew attention from local residents and visitors alike, who observed the protest as part of broader national actions that have repeatedly highlighted economic and social policy tensions across the country.
During the demonstration, celebratory and volatile signaling was reported as some participants lit small pyrotechnic devices. An elderly participant experienced a cardiac event during the activity and was quickly transported to a hospital for assessment and stabilization. Reports later indicated that the individual showed signs of improvement after receiving medical care, though an investigation remained ongoing to determine any links between the medical emergency and the event dynamics.
The Cannes Film Festival, renowned for its high-profile entertainment program and industry gatherings, opened amid heightened security measures this year. Organizers and authorities coordinated to manage potential protests and ensure the safety of attendees, staff, and residents. As safeguards were reinforced around festival venues, a number of contingency steps had already been discussed, including the temporary activation of utility safeguards and contingency power generation in certain buildings to prevent any complete shutdown of critical services during key festival activities.
Earlier coverage noted that gas supply in the city had been cut prior to the festival opening as a demonstration tactic. Generators were reportedly deployed at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès to mitigate outages, reflecting a rapid, pragmatic response to potential electricity interruptions that could disrupt festival operations and guest experiences. Local authorities underscored that all necessary measures were being taken to preserve safety and continuity for festival guests and residents alike, while civil authorities monitored the situation and prepared for any further developments.
Throughout Cannes, energy and security agencies have cooperated with law enforcement to assess the impact of the actions and to support critical infrastructure resilience during a period of major public event activity. The incident has sparked conversations about the balance between protest rights and the protection of essential services, a tension that authorities say will be addressed in the courts as part of the ongoing investigations. Observers note that this year’s festival atmosphere exists within a larger national debate on social policy, and local authorities are working to ensure that cultural events proceed with as little disruption as possible while upholding public safety and service reliability for all residents and visitors. (Source: 20 minutes)