A cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems at hundreds of supermarkets across France has caused temperatures in refrigerators and freezers to rise to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, spoiling food and triggering fires at several stores.
Major retailers, including Intermarché, Coopérative U, and E.Leclerc, confirmed the “unprecedented” cyberattack on Monday.
At least 300 Intermarché and Netto stores were targeted, along with more than 100 Coopérative U outlets, according to the retailers.
Carrefour said 80 supermarkets were affected, while Monoprix reported that approximately 5% of its nearly 490 stores had been hit. E.Leclerc confirmed that several of its stores were also targeted.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said the “large-scale” attack had affected “refrigeration units connected to several major food retailers across France.” The incident resulted in food losses and fires, the office said.
Following the attack, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) to investigate the incident.
France is also coordinating with its European counterparts, as other countries could potentially be affected. Authorities are assessing whether additional French companies may be at risk.
