State Electric Company (STELCO) said it is investigating Sunday’s city-wide power outage, reportedly caused by a damaged transformer.

STELCO said on Monday that it would publicize the results of the investigation.

The state enterprise said the outage was caused by a damaged high voltage cable connected to a transformer kept temporarily at the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), which provides water services to the nation. Residents living near the MWSC’s offices in Malé City reported having heard a loud ‘boom’ before the outage.

The three-hour interruption also affected telecommunications and water supply - as most buildings used electric pumps to push water to higher floors.

The power outage lasted from 13:00 to around 16:30, though some homes in Mahchangoalhi ward, in the middle of the city, received power at 14:00.