Hackers heat French supermarket fridges to 50C in 'large-scale' cyber attack

An overnight cyber attack targeted hundreds of French supermarkets, with hackers manipulating refrigeration units to raise temperatures to as high as 50 °C. The extreme heat caused some fridges to ignite, leading to fires in multiple locations. The incident, reported by Sky News on 12 October 2026, highlights the vulnerability of retail supply‑chain infrastructure to digital intrusion. While authorities have not disclosed the perpetrators or their motives, the scale of the operation suggests a coordinated effort to disrupt food safety and store operations. No injuries were reported, but the damage to perishable goods and equipment is expected to be significant. Supermarket chains are assessing the impact and reviewing security protocols. The incident underscores growing concerns about cyber‑physical threats to everyday services.