The Consumer Electronics Show came to a halt after a power outage at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The organisers and convention centre officials blamed the blackout to the heavy rains, which resulted in attendees being evacuated from the building.
According to reports, the outage occurred around 11:15am PST time and affected parts of the convention centre’s central and south halls.
The power just went out at #CES2018, an electronics convention pic.twitter.com/3UBdgJcWn1 https://t.co/rvkz0yUzQB
— Pawan (@PawanSomanchi) January 11, 2018
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
The Central Hall houses the giant booths for the show mainstays, including Sony, Samsung, LG and Intel, according to CNET.
Security guards have also reportedly prevented people from entering the LVCC’s North Hall, where car-makers including Toyota, Nissan and Ford have exhibits.
Attendees reported on social media that power was restored about two hours later.
We have confirmation that #CES2018 is indeed lit
— CES (@CES) January 10, 2018
Power is now back on at CES at the LVCC after almost two hours. #CESblackout #ces2018 pic.twitter.com/YGcfgLs5HT
— Stephen Fenech (@StephenFenech) January 10, 2018
The Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, has issued a statement regarding the blackout saying that a preliminary assessment indicates that “condensation from heavy rainfall caused a flashover on one of the facility’s transformers.”
“We have been informed by Nevada Energy that the outage impacting the Central Hall and South Hall meeting room connector of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) has been addressed and they are in the process of testing and restoring power. We will continue to limit access to the LVCC until full power has been restored. Thanks for your continued patience.”
