Power Crisis in Sweltering Balkans: Heatwave Triggers Massive Outage

A significant power outage hit the Balkans amidst a severe heatwave, leaving countries like Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia without electricity for hours. Authorities cite high temperatures and regional distribution line issues as potential causes. The power cut disrupted daily life, traffic, and tourism, with meteorologists pointing towards climate change as a factor.

A significant power outage struck the Balkans on Friday, coinciding with an early heatwave that soared temperatures above 40 C (104 F) across the region.

Montenegrin officials reported a multi-hour outage affecting almost the entire country. Croatia, Bosnia, and Albania faced similar issues, crippling coastal areas and creating widespread disruption.

The cause of this massive outage remains unclear. While Bosnia's state power company blamed issues in a regional distribution line, Albania attributed the problem to extreme heat. The Balkans' power grids, though connected for decades, faltered under these severe conditions.