A widespread power outage struck Spain, Portugal, Belgium and parts of southern France on Monday, causing chaos across the Iberian Peninsula of Europe.
Millions of people were affected, with essential services including transportation, phone networks, and airports coming to a halt. The blackout has disrupted daily life and caused significant inconvenience, including halting train services, shutting down airports, and disabling traffic lights. Authorities are working to restore power and understand the underlying issue.
Power outage hits major cities
The massive blackout disrupted major cities across Spain and Portugal, including Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and surrounding areas. It left subway networks, trains, traffic lights, and phone lines down. In Spain, metro stations were left dark, and train services nationwide came to a standstill. Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, was also heavily impacted, with local authorities stepping in to direct traffic manually. Mobile networks were largely inaccessible, and many people relied on radio to get updates on the situation.
Spain’s railways halted
Spain’s railway operator Adif confirmed that the power cut had brought train services to a complete halt across the country. Hundreds of thousands of passengers were left stranded, as electric-powered trains came to a stop. In Madrid, several metro trains were immobilized, while police took charge of directing traffic in the absence of working traffic lights. The disruption continued for hours.
Airports affected
Spanish airports, including major hubs like Madrid and Barcelona, experienced several incidents due to the power outage. The airports’ operator, Aena, reported significant disruptions. Passengers were left waiting in darkened terminals, and the usual operations were severely delayed as authorities scrambled to resolve the issue.
Play suspension at Madrid Open tennis tournament
The massive power cut interrupted the Madrid Open tennis tournament, halting play in several matches. Two singles and one doubles match were in progress when the blackout struck at 12:34 pm local time. The outage caused problems with electronic line-calling systems and suspended ongoing matches. Players like Grigor Dimitrov and Iga Swiatek had to stop mid-game due to the power failure. It was a disruption that affected both the players and spectators.
Emergency response as hospitals rely on generators
In both Spain and Portugal, hospitals and emergency services were forced to rely on backup generators. Despite the blackout, vital services continued functioning due to emergency power supplies. However, gas stations, ATMs, and payment systems were rendered inoperable. Traffic was also severely affected, with police placed on standby to assist in managing the flow of vehicles and directing traffic.
EU authorities in contact with affected countries
The European Commission confirmed that it was in contact with Spanish and Portuguese authorities to understand the cause of the blackout. The EU also pledged to monitor the situation and ensure smooth communication between relevant parties. As the blackout affected millions across multiple countries, the Commission emphasized the importance of coordinated action to resolve the issue and avoid further disruptions.
Restoration efforts underway, but power still out in some areas
Spanish authorities announced that power restoration efforts were underway, with power being gradually restored in northern and southern regions. However, officials warned that the full restoration of electricity could take between six and ten hours. In Portugal, the government suggested that the cause of the blackout seemed to be linked to the electricity distribution network in Spain. Despite this, there were no signs of a cyberattack being behind the outage, as reported by the Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center. Power was restored in southwestern France, French high-voltage grid operator RTE said.
‘Exceptional and extraordinary’ event
Red Eléctrica, Spain’s grid operator, has called the outage an “exceptional and extraordinary” event. Early reports suggested the problem might stem from the electricity distribution network in Spain, but investigations are still ongoing to pinpoint the root cause of the disruption. The blackout has affected a population of over 50 million people, and recovery efforts are likely to continue for some time.
