International News: Massive blackout hits Spain and Portugal, disrupting millions

Published by BBNTEAM at April 28, 2025

Posted: Monday, April 28, 2025. 11:03 am CST.

By Zoila Palma: A large-scale power outage struck Spain and Portugal late Monday morning, plunging major cities including Madrid and Lisbon into darkness and disrupting phone networks, traffic lights, metro systems, and train services.

Parts of southwest France were also briefly affected, the Guardian reported.

Grid operators reported that the blackout began around midday and caused a sharp drop in electricity demand across the Iberian Peninsula.

Governments in both Spain and Portugal held emergency meetings, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convening crisis talks at Red Eléctrica, the national grid operator.

As power was gradually restored by the afternoon, officials warned full recovery could take up to 10 hours.

The cause remains unclear, though Spain’s cybersecurity agency is investigating a possible cyberattack, and the European Commission is in contact with national authorities to coordinate efforts.

The outage brought daily life to a standstill. In Madrid, metros halted mid-service and passengers were left navigating dark tunnels, while traffic snarled without functioning signals.

Airports, hospitals, and newsrooms also reported disruptions, though emergency systems remained active.

Portugal’s government suggested the problem may have originated in Spain’s distribution network. European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera urged public patience as authorities worked to restore power.

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