On April 28, 2025, a widespread power failure struck Spain, leading to the shutdown of major facilities, including airports and train services, and causing chaos in urban areas. The blackout extended to parts of Portugal and France, attributed to a disturbance in the European power grid, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
Widespread Blackout Strikes Spain, France, and Portugal, Disrupting Daily Life
Widespread Blackout Strikes Spain, France, and Portugal, Disrupting Daily Life
A major power outage has left millions in Spain and parts of France and Portugal without electricity, causing significant transportation and infrastructure disruptions.
The disruption affected hospitals in Spain, compelling them to switch to generator power, while schools and banks in Portugal temporarily closed. Events such as the Madrid Open tennis tournament faced interruptions as matches were suspended. Residents of Murcia, a southeastern Spanish city, experienced darkened traffic signals and crosswalks, requiring drivers to navigate cautiously through the streets.
E-Redes, the Portuguese energy authority, confirmed that the outage was extensive across Spain, impacting regions like Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country, along with parts of France's Burgundy region. Spain’s national power company, Red Eléctricia, reported that power restoration efforts were underway, with some areas seeing electricity restored.
Portugal’s Minister of State for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, ruled out cyberattack threats. The national rail service in Spain announced a total halt in operations at midday due to the blackout, with local train networks throughout Spain also experiencing outages. With everyday activities stalled, cities faced a standstill; some businesses shut down, and ATMs were overwhelmed with long lines.
Airlines, including EasyJet, warned passengers of extensive delays as Spanish airports struggled with ongoing power issues affecting essential systems. Meanwhile, amid the blackouts, some residents sought refuge in sunlight, with indoor flamenco classes continuing despite the widespread outages.
This story is ongoing, with updates expected as recovery efforts progress.
E-Redes, the Portuguese energy authority, confirmed that the outage was extensive across Spain, impacting regions like Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country, along with parts of France's Burgundy region. Spain’s national power company, Red Eléctricia, reported that power restoration efforts were underway, with some areas seeing electricity restored.
Portugal’s Minister of State for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, ruled out cyberattack threats. The national rail service in Spain announced a total halt in operations at midday due to the blackout, with local train networks throughout Spain also experiencing outages. With everyday activities stalled, cities faced a standstill; some businesses shut down, and ATMs were overwhelmed with long lines.
Airlines, including EasyJet, warned passengers of extensive delays as Spanish airports struggled with ongoing power issues affecting essential systems. Meanwhile, amid the blackouts, some residents sought refuge in sunlight, with indoor flamenco classes continuing despite the widespread outages.
This story is ongoing, with updates expected as recovery efforts progress.
