A villager in Sichuan caused a 10-hour blackout for his entire village after a drone he was using to transport a live pig crashed into high-voltage power lines.
The incident occurred in the early hours of last Saturday in Tiefo town, Tongjiang county. The villager was attempting to use a drone to carry "New Year pigs" down a mountain for slaughter.
During the first trip, while operating in low pre-dawn visibility, the drone's tether became entangled in high-voltage lines. The drone and the suspended pig were left hanging, causing a short circuit and cutting power.
The villager tried to resolve the situation himself before eventually seeking help from the power supply department. Crews took 10 hours to clear the entanglement and repair damaged lines before electricity was restored.
Personnel from the local Tiefo police station confirmed the incident, stating the villager was suspected of using a drone in a no-fly zone. An investigation is ongoing. If laws were broken, the villager could face administrative penalties and be liable for damages to the power infrastructure.
Tiefo power supply station said repair costs, including clearing debris and replacing damaged lines, totaled nearly 10,000 yuan.
Legal experts quoted by local media stated agricultural drones have load and operating environment restrictions, and unauthorized operation leading to serious consequences could potentially violate criminal law.
