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The giant consumer electronics show CES has suffered a power cut, plunging part of the event into darkness.
The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)’s central hall went dark at around 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT).
Two hours passed before the organisers said that the electricity supply had been restored.
They blamed an earlier downpour for causing the blackout, which resulted in attendees being evacuated from the building.
The affected space hosts booths for LG, Samsung and Sony among others.
BBC reporters at the scene said that security guards had also prevented people from entering the LVCC’s North Hall, where car-makers including Toyota, Nissan and Ford have exhibits.
We have confirmation that #CES2018 is indeed lit
— CES (@CES) January 10, 2018
The Consumer Technology Association, which runs the event, has thanked visitors for their patience. But some have expressed frustration at having missed meetings.
‘Beautiful day’
The power failure followed heavy rain on Tuesday, which had forced Google to shut one of its booths located in the LVCC’s car park.
It had been the city’s first rainfall in 116 days, and had marked the wettest January day on record for the area, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal newspaper.
One LVCC employee, who asked not to be named, said that the water had affected the “trunk lines” that carry power to the venue.
The CTA later issued the following statement, which was released in conjunction with the utility firm NV Energy and the Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority.
“A preliminary assessment indicates that condensation from heavy rainfall caused a flashover on one of the facility’s transformers,” it said.
“We are grateful to NV Energy for their swift assistance, to our customers and their clients for their patience and to the staff for ensuring the safety and security of all attendees and exhibitors.”
The trade fair is marketed as the “world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies”.
CES sprawls across many venues close to the Las Vegas Strip, and the CTA had highlighted that most of them had been unaffected.
Unbelievably, the power has failed in the central hall for #CES2018 All the attendees are being asked to go out into the hallway. @CES pic.twitter.com/fD4VebRTmr
— David Danto (@NJDavidD) January 10, 2018
Power outage @CES #CES2018
Now THAT'S interesting 🤤 pic.twitter.com/JqlTZg2kW3— Nina Khoury (@ninanet) January 10, 2018
THE POWER IS OUT AT #CES #CES2018 pic.twitter.com/kVwhPnzcdR
— Christopher Halon (@RolandChris) January 10, 2018
Source: BBC.com
