On May 4th, a power outage affected the Greek island of Kefalonia, leaving the capital Argostoli temporarily without electricity. The disruption began at approximately 04:30 PM local time and lasted for around one hour in the central area, with additional disturbances reported in adjacent districts.
Preliminary findings suggest that the blackout may have been caused by damage to a submarine power cable, potentially linked to the anchoring operations of a cruise vessel—believed to be the Celestyal Journey. The vessel was maneuvering in the port area at the time the disruption occurred, as reported by local media, including Kefaloniapress, which published imagery of the ship during the incident.
The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) dispatched divers to inspect the underwater cable, confirming a significant fault in the system. Temporary restoration of power was achieved by 05:30 p.m. via rerouted supply, though officials caution that comprehensive repairs will require specialized equipment and may extend over several days.
Submarine power cables are considered vital infrastructure in insular regions, with damage from ship anchors classified as a known risk. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) has documented similar cases, including a notable 2008 incident off Sicily in which an anchor drag led to extensive cable damage over a 300-kilometer path.
As of this writing, no official statement has been released by Greek maritime authorities concerning the incident. HEDNO continues to monitor the network, and investigations are ongoing to establish causality and recommend preventative measures.