×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
29
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 15°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

What caused that flashing blue light in New York city skyline? (videos)

"There are no injuries reported," the New York fire department said, noting that the situation is under control

Newsroom December 28 09:28

A transformer explosion at the Consolidated Edison energy company has lit up the skies over New York city, shocking witnesses and prompting wild theories ranging from an alien invasion to a Russian cyber-attack on the power grid.

Neon blue streaks that could be seen from miles away over the Astoria neighborhood have scared New Yorkers, who were quick to post pictures of the alien-like shining. Some reported hearing humming and an unusual, psychedelic glow of colors.

What is happening in queens?!!!! It’s humming and changing psychedelic colors… tons of sirens?!! pic.twitter.com/xkskHdzOxo

— Juju Chang (@JujuChangABC) December 28, 2018

Equally alarmed by the phenomenon, the city’s authorities dispatched police units and fire trucks to the Consolidated Edison energy company plant in Queens, to deal with “an apparent transformer explosion,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, in an effort to quell public fears.

People describe hearing a boom, feeling a vibration and seeing the sky turn green. Again —we are told it was a transformer explosion at a @ConEdison building in Astoria, Queens. I’m heading in that direction with my @CBSNewYork crew. Will update here. pic.twitter.com/gdGCjVWVfS

— Jessica Layton (@JLaytonTV) December 28, 2018

“There are no injuries reported,” the New York fire department said, noting that the situation is under control.

Otherworldly blue light flashing in the sky in New York City. The Russians? Aliens? Aurora Borealis? Called 911 and got an answering machine. Scary. #NYC #NYCBlueLight #BlueLight #BlueLightNYC #NYC311 #ConED #NewYorkCity #NYCLights #BlueSkyNYC pic.twitter.com/vQ1gTcTfNb

— @actor_nyc (@actor_nyc) December 28, 2018

Power Surge at the ConEd facility in Astoria. pic.twitter.com/Iehisp2klj

>Related articles

In February in Washington, the crucial ministerial meeting on the Vertical Energy Corridor: What Joshua Volz said in Athens

Violanta employees’ testimonies on the smell — Owner admits he noticed an odor but thought it was the sewer

Trump’s three demands to Iran to avoid a US military strike

— NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) December 28, 2018

Read more HERE

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#astoria#electricity#explosion#neon light#new york#power plant#science#surge#usa#videos
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Celia Kritharioti: Her new collection was presented at Paris Fashion Week with an “Old Hollywood” feel

January 29, 2026

Mitsotakis meets with the French Minister of Defence: Renewal of the Strategic Partnership on the table

January 29, 2026

Violanda factory tragedy: Who was responsible for inspections, permits, labour, and arbitrariness

January 29, 2026

ELSTAT: Unemployment fell to 7.5% in December

January 29, 2026

In February in Washington, the crucial ministerial meeting on the Vertical Energy Corridor: What Joshua Volz said in Athens

January 29, 2026

Athens Metro celebrates its 26th anniversary

January 29, 2026

The limits in a tragedy, PASOK’s open arms and Kouroumplis, Olga’s kind reminder, tuition fees at private schools (they sting…), the Chinese yard and the shadow fleet

January 29, 2026

Aluminium Dunkerque: Six foreign “bidders” for Europe’s largest aluminum smelter – Metlen in the spotlight

January 29, 2026
All News

> Politics

Mitsotakis meets with the French Minister of Defence: Renewal of the Strategic Partnership on the table

The delivery of the first Belharra frigate, the FDI "Kimon", demonstrates the dynamism and effectiveness of this cooperation, the Prime Minister noted

January 29, 2026

Marinakis: ‘It is a vulgar lie that Greece holds a record in workplace accidents’ – See video

January 29, 2026

One minute of silence in Parliament for the deceased workers in Trikala and PAOK supporters

January 29, 2026

Turkish Ministry of Defence: Our NAVTEXs have indefinite duration, Greece to coordinate with us in Aegean searches

January 29, 2026

New Democracy: Theodoros Roussopoulos appointed President of the Congress Organizing Committee by decision of Mitsotakis

January 29, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα