A major power outage has struck Spain and Portugal, triggering widespread disruption. Traffic ground to a halt as traffic lights failed, and emergency services were deployed to manage the ensuing chaos. Concerns for patient safety led some hospitals to cancel surgeries.
Spain’s entire train service was suspended, leaving numerous passengers stranded, and Madrid’s underground was evacuated. Air travel was significantly reduced with flight cancellations. Even the Madrid Open tennis tournament faced suspension due to a sudden “bang” that interrupted a match.
Data from Spain’s electricity grid indicated a rapid drop in supply. Red Eléctrica, the national grid operator, estimated a six to ten-hour restoration period and stated that all resources were being directed to resolve the issue. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez personally went to the operator’s headquarters to oversee the response.
The cause of the blackout remains under investigation, with some commentators and the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration raising the possibility of a cyberattack, drawing parallels with past incidents. Spain’s Cybersecurity Coordination Office acknowledged it was “too early” to confirm the cause but is also exploring the cyberattack possibility.
Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of widespread disruption. In Lisbon, a student described the roads as “absolute carnage” and the situation as “terrifying,” with speculation of a cyberattack circulating.
Officials in Spain urged drivers to avoid roads, and Valencia’s metro system was shut down. Barcelona faced thousands of non-functional traffic lights, creating hazardous conditions. Healthcare facilities in Madrid prioritized the transfer of critical patients relying on oxygen, as hospitals depended on emergency generators. Long queues formed at ATMs due to debit card system failures, and supermarkets in Portugal closed as a safety measure. People were trapped in elevators and public transport.
The European Commission has contacted Spanish and Portuguese authorities to ascertain the cause of this significant blackout, which also affected parts of southwest France.
