Widespread Blackout Strikes Spain and Portugal, Disrupting Daily Life

BARCELONA, Spain -- A significant power outage impacted vast areas of Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing disruptions for thousands of travelers and leaving millions without electricity, phone service, and access to cash from ATMs across the Iberian Peninsula. The incident, described as unprecedented, prompted urgent investigations by authorities into its cause.

Spain's Prime Minister addressed the nation after nearly 11 hours of chaos, confirming that the power grid had collapsed dramatically at 12:33 p.m., losing 15 gigawatts of power in just five seconds, which equates to about 60% of the country's energy demand. Eduardo Prieto, head of operations at the Spanish power distributor, called the event "exceptional and extraordinary."

By early Tuesday morning, Spain had restored over 92% of its power supply, with assurances from the Prime Minister that full restoration would be achieved by the end of the day. The incident is the latest in a series of serious power outages in Europe, occurring just weeks after a fire disrupted operations at Heathrow Airport in the UK.

Authorities in Portugal stated there were no indications that the blackout resulted from a cyberattack. European Commission officials characterized the outage as one of the most severe incidents recorded in recent European history, committing to a thorough investigation into the underlying causes.

The blackout extended to major cities including Madrid and Lisbon, leading to the closure of offices, halted train services, and significant traffic disruptions. Emergency services had to evacuate around 35,000 passengers from more than 100 trains immobilized across the rail network. Reports indicated that as late as 11 p.m., some travelers remained stranded.

In Madrid, many commuters found themselves stranded at bus stops with no transport available to the airport. Some attempted to hitch rides, while others expressed frustration over their inability to communicate with family members who were arriving in the city.

The power disruption also affected hospitals and emergency services, which had to rely on backup generators. Most mobile phone networks were down, although some applications functioned intermittently. Citizens sought out battery-operated radios for updates.

Such widespread outages are rare in the Iberian Peninsula, which is home to approximately 60 million people. Notably, Spain's islands and autonomous territories remained unaffected.

Following the disruption, the Spanish government convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. The army was deployed to distribute generators and essential supplies to severely impacted regions. In Portugal, the cabinet met to address the crisis, with expectations set for power restoration later that day.

Efforts to restore power involved drawing electricity from neighboring countries, such as Morocco and France, while increasing output from local hydroelectric and thermal power plants.

Airports across Spain operated using backup systems, leading to flight delays and passenger frustrations. Meanwhile, the blackout prompted certain individuals to embrace the situation, gathering outdoors to enjoy the sun and socializing in the absence of digital connectivity.

In addition to the challenges faced by commuters, increased police presence was reported in Portugal to manage the elevated number of emergency calls, including requests for assistance from individuals trapped in elevators.

As the situation unfolded, authorities worked diligently to restore services and ensure public safety, emphasizing the need for investigations to prevent future occurrences.