A significant power outage impacted Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, causing chaos with transportation, healthcare, and daily life. Authorities attribute the blackout to issues in the European electricity grid, though the exact cause remains unidentified.
Major Power Outage Disrupts Daily Life Across Spain, Portugal, and France
Major Power Outage Disrupts Daily Life Across Spain, Portugal, and France
Millions are affected by a widespread blackout that halts trains, airports, and essential services throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with unclear causes.
A major power outage struck Spain on April 28, 2025, severely disrupting transportation and essential services. Millions across the Iberian Peninsula, including parts of Portugal and France, experienced the fallout of this extensive blackout, which officials say was linked to a disturbance in the European grid.
Despite authorities' efforts to restore power, critical infrastructure like airports and train services faced closures, leading to widespread disarray. Portuguese hospitals switched to generator power, banks and schools closed, and events like the Madrid Open tennis tournament were abruptly halted.
E-Redes, Portugal's national energy supplier, stated that the issues arose from faults in very high voltage lines affecting multiple regions, including Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country in Spain, as well as the Burgundy region in France. The national power company of Spain, Red Eléctrica, reported partial restorations in various towns but warned of lingering impacts on daily life.
In urban centers, streetlights, traffic signals, and other vital systems went dark. Residents faced delays and significant inconveniences, including long queues at ATMs and the closure of restaurants and churches. Local transportation systems, such as Valencia's trains, reported widespread disruptions across their networks.
While authorities ruled out a cyberattack, many citizens were left grappling with frustration and confusion as they waited for the restoration of power. Meanwhile, cultural activities like flamenco classes continued in natural light, showcasing resilience amid the chaos.
As the situation unfolded, airlines like EasyJet alerted passengers about ongoing delays at Spanish airports, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the incident. This developing story is closely monitored for updates as grid repairs are underway and services begin to normalize.
