At least three people have died in Spain following a catastrophic power cut that swept through the country on Monday, the Civil Guard reported. The fatalities occurred in the municipality of Taboadela, where all three victims were members of the same family. Initial media reports indicate that carbon monoxide exposure from a malfunctioning generator may have contributed to the deaths, although further details have yet to be released by the authorities.
The deceased, identified as a married couple and their adult son, were discovered lifeless in their beds by a care worker on Tuesday, according to El Pais, a Madrid-based newspaper. Reports also highlight other potential fatalities amid the blackout, including a woman in her fifties who perished in a fire that might have been ignited by a candle used during the outage. This incident occurred in the Carabanchel district of Madrid, with local emergency services confirming that thirteen others received treatment for smoke inhalation, five of whom were hospitalized.
In another case, a woman in her forties is reported to have died in Valencia under unclear circumstances related to her medical condition. Local authorities speculate that her reliance on a power-dependent ventilator may have resulted in her death during the electricity cut. However, conflicting health reports indicate she had other underlying health issues that could have led to her passing.
The widespread blackout has caused significant disruptions across Spain and Portugal, with traffic signals failing, public transport systems halting, and numerous businesses unable to process electronic transactions. This chaos spurred long lines at functional ATMs and left many without communication as mobile networks initially collapsed.
While investigations into the precise reasons for the power cut continue, officials have dismissed the possibility of a cyberattack being behind the incident. Questions linger about how such a major power disruption could occur and what preventive measures can be taken to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
