2004 Photo Contest, Spot News, 3rd prize
Photographer

Ilkka Uimonen

Magnum Photos for Newsweek

14 August, 2003

The lights go out on 42nd Street. During the evening rush hour, the northeastern United States and parts of Canada were hit by a massive electricity failure. In New York, as in other major cities, thousands of people were trapped in metros and lifts, and chaos ensued as traffic lights went out. Many chose to walk home, others were stranded overnight yet the overall mood remained calm. The blackout, thought to have been caused by an overload due to hot weather, lasted nearly 18 hours.

About the photographer

Ilkka Uimonen

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