A new class of probabilistic models for cascading failure propagation in interconnected systems is proposed. The models take into account important characteristics of real systems that are not considered in existing generic approaches. Specifically, it is assumed that the load increments after a failure are proportional to the failed load and that the load redistribution among the remaining elements is stochastic. The models are solved analytically in terms of generalized branching processes,

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... d the failure propagation properties of a prototype example are analyzed in detail.