New York plunges into darkness

Huge power blackouts hit New York and other major cities across northeast US and Canada, closing airports, stranding commuters in underground trains and causing massive traffic jams. Thousands of workers poured out of Manhatten skyscrapers at first fearing a repeat of the September 11 attacks which hit New York two years ago. But the authorities said technical problems were probably the main cause.

In Picture: All lights are out in Times Square during a massive blackout on August 14, 2003 in New York City. Getty Images