Massive power outage in Moscow: fire at TEC-20 paralyzed the metro and left people sitting in the dark

August 18, 2026: Moscow faced a large-scale emergency. In the evening, a sudden and complete power outage occurred in several central and southwestern districts of the capital. The incident led to serious transport collapses, elevator stoppages, and disruptions to social infrastructure.

Scale of the accident: from Zamoskvorechye to the Gagarin district

According to data received from Russian Telegram channels and confirmed by eyewitnesses, residents of Zamoskvorechye, Danilovsky, and Gagarin districts were left without light. The glitch affected not only residential areas but also commercial facilities: shops and offices were left in the dark. For many residents, this came as a surprise, as there were no warnings about scheduled work. In the conditions of a summer evening, the lack of air conditioning and lighting created uncomfortable conditions for thousands of people.

Collapse on the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya metro line

The most serious consequences of the power supply failure were felt by the Moscow Metro. Movement on the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya ("orange") line was significantly disrupted. Trains began to run with increased intervals, causing crowds of passengers on the platforms. A particular concern was the situation at the "Rizhskaya" station: a crush formed at the exit, escalators stopped working, and the lack of lighting in the passages and vestibules exacerbated the panic. By 20:34 MSK, train movement was declared restored, although passengers reported delays and overcrowded carriages.

Reason for the emergency: fire at TEC-20

According to preliminary information, the cause of the massive blackout was a fire at TEC-20. Local residents reported the operation of warning sirens and the arrival of several fire crews, as well as ambulances, at the scene. The situation at the facility developed rapidly: shortly after the arrival of emergency services, the siren was turned off, and some ambulances left the scene. This may indicate that the fire was localized or that there were no casualties, however, official data on the scale of damage to the energy facility has not yet been published.

Stranded in elevators and consequences for the population

The sudden power outage led to several people getting stuck in elevators in residential buildings. Rescue services were forced to work in conditions of limited visibility and the absence of building automation. The elevator incident became one of the most acute problems for residents of the affected districts, as evacuation from high-rise buildings without electricity involves additional risks.