(new: details)

FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - A rodent has paralyzed large parts of the power supply at Frankfurt Airport for hours. The dormouse caused a short circuit in a medium-voltage substation at around 10.45 p.m. on Monday evening, according to the energy company Syna.

As a result, the power went out and the airport fire department arrived due to the developing smoke. It was not until around 03.21 a.m. that the grid was supplied with electricity again after switching over. The animal was found dead next to the gnawed cable.

According to the operator Fraport, the consequences for air traffic were limited because the short circuit occurred shortly before the start of the night flight ban and was rectified in good time before traffic resumed. There could still be delays and flight cancellations during the course of the day, says a spokesperson. A total of 1242 flight movements are planned with around 189,000 passengers expected, meaning a busy vacation. In the morning, eleven cancellations were announced.

According to Fraport, around 1,000 suitcases were left in the terminal in the evening and are now being forwarded to passengers. The emergency power supply for the security-related systems had been activated. Safety at Germany's largest airport was not endangered at any time.

Area A and partly also B in Terminal 1 of the airport were affected by the power failure. This sector is mainly used by Lufthansa. According to the airline, it had no problems processing passengers in the morning.

According to Fraport, it has pest controllers on duty at all times. However, incidents like the current one cannot be completely ruled out, said a spokesperson. According to the company, the power grid is one of the best available systems in Germany. The electricity comes from two independent suppliers and is brought up to a medium voltage of 10 kilovolts in six substations./csc/ceb/DP/nas