A power transmission tower collapsed last night following an act of theft, resulting in a partial power outage in Hawassa city, according to the Southern Region 1 office.

The incident occurred on the 230-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line connecting Yirgalem No. 2 Substation and Hawassa No. 2 Substation, the regional office reported.

According to Ato Mosisa Gelcha, Manager of the Transmission Lines Operation and Maintenance Office in the region, the theft took place on a steel transmission tower located in Chefe Kebele, Tula Sub-City Administration of Hawassa-an area through which the transmission line passes.

Ato Mosisa explained that the tower collapsed at around 12:00 midnight yesterday due to structural damage caused by the theft.

He added that the damage caused by the theft was significant, making it difficult even to reuse the metal components of the tower.

As a result of the incident, the Hawassa No. 2 Substation has lost the electricity supply it normally receives from Yirgalem No. 2 Substation, leading to a partial reduction in the substation’s power supply capacity.

Ato Mosisa also noted that repair work has already begun to restore the collapsed tower to its original position. He called on customers experiencing partial power interruptions to remain patient until the transmission line is fully restored and electricity transmission resumes.