A widespread power outage on Monday impacted Spain and Portugal, causing significant travel disruptions and panic among residents. From train cancellations to internet outages, authorities are scrambling to address the situation.
Power Outage Disrupts Life Across Spain and Portugal
Power Outage Disrupts Life Across Spain and Portugal
A massive electrical failure leaves millions in the Iberian Peninsula affected.
A major power failure struck extensive regions in Spain and Portugal on Monday, leading to substantial disruptions. Millions were left without electricity as internet and mobile networks faltered. The crisis prompted urgent government advisories, warning Madrid's residents and travelers to avoid travel unless necessary while some people became trapped in elevators.
The power outage commenced around midday (13:00 BST) and escalated quickly. By early afternoon, Spanish and Portuguese authorities stated that restoring power might take hours—or potentially longer. In a bid to maintain order amid growing chaos, Spanish police advised citizens in Madrid to remain indoors, avoid roadways, and limit emergency calls to genuine incidents, as many services were overwhelmed.
Despite the widespread turmoil, Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest a cyberattack caused the outage. Meanwhile, both the Spanish grid operator and Portugal's REN estimated a protracted restoration timeline, with full power likely taking up to a week in some regions.
Reports of panic emerged as city life ground to a halt. Traffic lights went dark, key services were interrupted, and some petrol stations closed their doors. Hospitals activated emergency protocols, suspending non-essential medical procedures, and lines at cash machines grew as card transactions failed.
As daylight waned, some regions began to regain power, with authorities indicating that restoration was occurring progressively across different areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Nevertheless, the authorities continue to investigate the root causes of the electrical failure, with the European Council's President, Antonio Costa, reiterating the lack of evidence for malicious interference.
The power outage severely impacted various sectors, including travel, with significant flight delays reported by EasyJet at Madrid and Lisbon airports. Affected businesses, including some Ikea outlets, transitioned to backup generators and restricted public access. Events like the Madrid Open Tennis were also postponed due to the incident.
As the recovery process unfolds, citizens are left grappling not just with the immediate challenges posed by the outage but also with the uncertainty of what triggered such a widespread disruption in the first place.
