Two men died from electrocution on Friday, May 1, 2026, in Saint-Gildas-des-Bois, located in the north of Loire-Atlantique. The tragedy occurred when the mast of their small sailboat tore down a high-voltage power line.
Emergency Response at La Gautraie
Firefighters were alerted shortly after 4:00 PM to an incident by a pond at a location known as “La Gautraie,” situated between Guenrouët and Saint-Gildas-des-Bois. Upon arrival, responders discovered the two men had been electrocuted.
The emergency operation involved a significant deployment of resources. A total of 13 firefighters and 11 vehicles were mobilized to the scene, though the victims could not be saved despite these efforts.
Infrastructure Impact and Power Outages
The accident caused immediate damage to the local electrical grid. This resulted in a power outage that lasted for several hours in a portion of the Saint-Gildas-des-Bois commune.
According to emergency responders, 270 customers were affected by the loss of electricity following the line failure.
Potential Next Steps
Authorities may conduct a review of the proximity of power lines to the pond at La Gautraie to determine if safety margins were sufficient. There is a possibility that warnings could be issued to sailors regarding the height of masts relative to overhead utility lines in the region.
Local infrastructure teams could also examine the incident to determine if modifications to the line’s placement or insulation are necessary to prevent similar occurrences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly did the accident take place?
The incident occurred at the location known as “La Gautraie,” by a pond located between Saint-Gildas-des-Bois and Guenrouët.
How many people lost power because of the incident?
The resulting power outage affected 270 customers in part of the commune of Saint-Gildas-des-Bois.
What caused the electrocution?
The deaths were caused by the mast of a small sailboat tearing down a 20,000-volt power line.
Do you believe current safety regulations for power lines near recreational areas are sufficient?
