Drone-carried pig causes 10-hour power cut in China — viral video leaves Internet in stitches

A bizarre incident in China left an entire village without electricity for almost half a day. In Tiefo town, Tongjiang county, Sichuan, a local resident caused a 10-hour blackout when a drone he was functioning collided with high-voltage power lines while transporting a live pig. The villager had been employing the drone to move New Year pigs down a mountain for slaughter, intending to complete the task before sunrise.

How Did the Drone Cause the Power Outage?

Poor nighttime visibility resulted in the rope attached to the drone to get entangled in the power lines. The drone and pig continued to be suspended in midair, triggering a short circuit that cut electricity to the village. Rather than reaching out to the officials immediately, the villager tried to resolve the problem himself. Eventually, the electricity department was called in, and crews worked for 10 hours to remove the drone and repair the damaged lines.

Police Investigation

Local police confirmed the event to the South China Morning Post, mentioning that the villager is suspected of “flying a drone in a restricted area.” Investigations are continuing, and if guidelines were violated, the individual could encounter fines or be asked to pay the repair charges. According to the power department, the operation conducted by 12 crew to remove debris and fix the cables cost almost 10,000 yuan (around Rs 1 lakh).

Rising Concerns Over Illegal Drone Use

The Global Times reported that China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) recently emphasized several incidents of illegal drone use. Authorities noted that unauthorized flights have elevated over recent years and pose hazards to both air traffic and public safety. In one case, a man paid others to change his drone so it could fly higher than rules allow. He repeatedly used the device to record videos and post them online. Some of these flights dangerously neared commercial airplane routes, endangering passengers. Officials stated that he was later arrested for “putting public safety in danger.”

FAQs:

Q1. What happened in the Sichuan village?
A drone collided with high-voltage power lines, resulting in a 10-hour blackout. The drone was transporting a live pig during New Year transport.

Q2. Who caused the blackout?
A local villager functioning the drone caused the outage. Investigations are ongoing into potential rule violations.