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Week-long blackout hurts Zanzibar | Week-long blackout hurts Zanzibar |
(20 minutes later) | |
Businesses in Zanzibar are closing down and residents are bemused as a power cut affecting the whole of the Tanzanian island enters its eighth day. | Businesses in Zanzibar are closing down and residents are bemused as a power cut affecting the whole of the Tanzanian island enters its eighth day. |
The BBC's Freddie Boswell in Zanzibar says there has been little official information about the blackout. | The BBC's Freddie Boswell in Zanzibar says there has been little official information about the blackout. |
It began after a massive power failure in Tanzania; power was restored quickly on the mainland, but not in Zanzibar. | It began after a massive power failure in Tanzania; power was restored quickly on the mainland, but not in Zanzibar. |
There are concerns that without running water, usually pumped into homes, there could be an outbreak of cholera. | There are concerns that without running water, usually pumped into homes, there could be an outbreak of cholera. |
It is Zanzibar's worst power crisis for years, our correspondent says. | It is Zanzibar's worst power crisis for years, our correspondent says. |
Tourism worries | Tourism worries |
Generators have sold out and the price of water has doubled - a 20-litre container of water now costs $1 (50 pence). | Generators have sold out and the price of water has doubled - a 20-litre container of water now costs $1 (50 pence). |
There is confusion about the cause of the failures, our reporter says. | There is confusion about the cause of the failures, our reporter says. |
Tanzania's state electricity company blames a blown transformer, although some media reports suggest it was a submarine cable that was affected. | Tanzania's state electricity company blames a blown transformer, although some media reports suggest it was a submarine cable that was affected. |
Many cafes in Stone Town have closed down. | Many cafes in Stone Town have closed down. |
One cafe owner told the BBC she could not afford to spend $100 (£50) a day on fuel for a generator. | One cafe owner told the BBC she could not afford to spend $100 (£50) a day on fuel for a generator. |
The cost of running a generator for one day is the equivalent to half a month's electricity bill, some residents say. | The cost of running a generator for one day is the equivalent to half a month's electricity bill, some residents say. |
People are desperately looking for places with generators to charge their mobile phones, our reporter says. | People are desperately looking for places with generators to charge their mobile phones, our reporter says. |
There are also concerns that the power cut could affect the island's crucial tourist industry. | There are also concerns that the power cut could affect the island's crucial tourist industry. |
The Africa House Hotel says it is spending 20% of its daily revenue on diesel and water for its residents. | The Africa House Hotel says it is spending 20% of its daily revenue on diesel and water for its residents. |