Fridges heated to 50°C, food destroyed: Hundreds of shops in France hit by cyberattack
A large-scale cyberattack on French supermarket chains has remotely triggered refrigeration defrosting, causing significant food spoilage and fire risks. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which targeted critical food supply infrastructure.
Why it matters
The attack represents a dangerous escalation in cyber-threats against critical infrastructure, specifically targeting essential food supply chains.
A cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarket outlets has forced stores to discard fresh and frozen food, prompting a police investigation into the incident and reported outbreaks of fire.The attack sparked fires and food losses after they forced fridges up to 50 degrees Celsius for hours overnight at several hundred stores.Intermarche said around 150 to 200 of its stores were affected, while nearly 100 outlets of Cooperative U also reported problems. The attack, which began on Sunday night, remotely triggered the defrosting of refrigerators, disrupting the storage of perishable goods, news agency AFP reported.Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Cooperative U, described the incident as "unprecedented". "Targeting equipment essential to the preservation of fresh products and to the food supply of the French people is extremely serious and is unprecedented.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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