×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
06
Mar 2026
weather symbol
Athens 13°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

The Revolutionary Guards claim they struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with drones

Between two homelands: “I’m afraid for my children,” says Israeli-Iranian Efrat

From the Hamas attack to the Iran war: The order from an underground tunnel in Gaza that changed the history of the Middle East and rewrote it in blood

— 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

Intense Israeli bombardment in Tehran; ‘Surrender or die,’ says Donald Trump – U.S. sinks Iranian drone carrier as Iran launches barrage of strikes on Gulf states (updated)

March 6, 2026

“We warn that a similar incident must not be repeated,” says Erdogan on the missile launched from Iran

March 5, 2026

The Revolutionary Guards claim they struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with drones

March 5, 2026

Between two homelands: “I’m afraid for my children,” says Israeli-Iranian Efrat

March 5, 2026

From the Hamas attack to the Iran war: The order from an underground tunnel in Gaza that changed the history of the Middle East and rewrote it in blood

March 5, 2026

Tehran’s war games: Are its missile stockpiles running out, or is it conserving them for a prolonged conflict? What experts say (videos)

March 5, 2026

C-130 lands in Elefsina with 91 Greeks repatriated from Abu Dhabi

March 5, 2026

Trump: I must personally get involved in choosing Iran’s next leader – Khamenei’s son is insignificant

March 5, 2026
All News

> Greece

Between two homelands: “I’m afraid for my children,” says Israeli-Iranian Efrat

Born in Israel with roots in Iran, Efrat spoke to protothema.gr reporters Giannis Charamidis and Marinos Aleiferis about her life after 2023, the insecurity she feels abroad, and the upcoming elections in the country

March 5, 2026

C-130 lands in Elefsina with 91 Greeks repatriated from Abu Dhabi

March 5, 2026

Police in the inner area of Fyli: 1,650 meters of cables for electricity theft, waste of tons of water, road occupation, 12 arrests (videos-photos)

March 5, 2026

Winter 2025–2026 among the warmest in recent decades, according to Meteo – See the map

March 5, 2026

Cyprus’ defense strengthened: Which countries are sending military forces after Greece

March 5, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα