A breakdown affects the fixed and mobile telephone network throughout Reunion Island, the prefecture announced on Tuesday evening.
This breakdown was caused by a power cut that occurred in the afternoon in the district of the capital Saint-Denis where the technical center which manages the networks of the operator Orange is located, explained the prefecture in a press release.
Backup systems then "failed" around 10 p.m. local time (6 p.m. GMT), affecting the network across the island, she added.
The supply of the fixed and mobile telephony network was restored at midnight local time (8:00 p.m. GMT), which should allow "a gradual resumption of fixed and internet services in the next few hours on the whole island", according to Prefecture.
The Orange mobile network was to remain affected until Wednesday morning.
Emergency numbers in service
"The prefect has activated a crisis unit in the prefecture in order to bring together the various actors mobilized to restore the situation as quickly as possible", she specifies.
Emergency numbers 15 (Samu) and 112 remain in service.
“However, faced with the risk of saturation, the authorities invite people to reiterate their appeal,” adds the prefecture.
The emergency numbers have remained in service but the prefect has set up a series of alternative numbers to contact the police, gendarmerie and fire departments.
