Power cut hits 10% of Brussels homes

A widespread power cut left tens of thousands of Brussels homes in darkness for up to three hours on Thursday evening, also cutting out street lamps and traffic lights.

The blackout - at 22.40 - affected about 10% of the Brussels region, mostly in Evere, Schaerbeek, Saint-Josse, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and central Brussels.

Power was gradually restored from midnight and all areas were reconnected by 2.00, said a spokesman for Sibelga, which manages the gas and electricity supply in the Brussels region.

Electricity provider Elia apologised for the inconvenience. It said a technical error at a sub-station was to blame and an investigation had been launched to find out more.