Snake Caused a Large-Scale Power Outage in Cyprus

KIB-TEK, the electricity corporation, said that an accident at the Geçitkale substation left a number of settlements without power. During the inspection, the utility's specialists found that the cause of the failure was a snake that had made its way into the distribution mechanisms. On contact with the high-voltage elements, the reptile was instantly killed by electric shock, triggering a short circuit.

The accident affected residents of dozens of villages and districts, including Akovas, Yildirim, Boğaziçi, Sınırüstü, Ötüken, Aygün, Kuzucuk, Alaniçi, Dörtyol, Pirhan, Sütlüce, Pınarlı, Ulukışla, Aslanköy, Gönenköy, Ergenekon, Çamlıca and the town of Geçitkale itself. Local farms, military facilities and drinking water pumping stations were also cut off.

Emergency crews promptly arrived at the scene, removed the animal remains and cleaned the equipment contacts. Power supply to all affected areas was fully restored.