Cemig reports 313,000 power outages in Minas Gerais due to kite flying

Between January and June 2026, Cemig reported 1,260 power outages in Minas Gerais caused by kite flying near electrical lines. These incidents resulted in service interruptions for 313,224 customers across the state.

The Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region experienced the highest impact, with 604 occurrences affecting 181,850 consumers. In the Eastern region, 66 incidents affected nearly 19,253 customers, while the South and West regions recorded 185 occurrences impacting 29,119 consumers.

Although these figures represent a decrease compared to the same period in 2025—when 1,338 incidents affected approximately 398,000 customers—Cemig warns that kite flying remains a primary cause of disruptions during school holidays and windy periods. Engineers emphasize that using materials like 'cerol' or 'linha chilena' increases the risk of short circuits, equipment damage, and severe accidents for pedestrians and cyclists.