Naïve to its own power, a dormouse managed to shut down Frankfurt Airport this week after gnawing through an electrical wire, causing an hours-long power cut.

Hungry dormouse shuts down Frankfurt Airport

The largest airport in Germany and two nearby hotels were left without power this week after a hungry dormouse chewed through a crucial cable. A consequent power outage meant hundreds of flights were cancelled and recently arrived passengers were unable to collect their luggage. 

When the electricity cut at 11pm, emergency generators were started to keep the airport lit during the night.

Investigating the cause, emergency services found the scene of the crime, where the body of the mouse was discovered beside a nibbled transformer station wire.

1.000 suitcases held hostage by rodent in Frankfurt

Since the rodent’s wrongdoing occurred at 11pm, cancellations and disruptions were minimal compared to if the cable had been gnawed during the day.

Nevertheless, around 1.000 suitcases were briefly held hostage as the mouse brought baggage carousels to a halt. The airlines are now delivering the remaining bags to passengers.

The incident is not the first of its kind in Frankfurt Airport, which according to Fraport, has a consistent problem with mice and has set up 5.000 traps across the terminals.

Thumb image credit: slowmotiongli / Shutterstock.com