On April 28 at 12:30 p.m. local time, Spain and Portugal were struck by one of the most extensive power outages in recent decades, leaving millions of people without electricity, water, internet access, and under a state of emergency declared by the Ministry of the Interior. A complete collapse of the energy system halted public transportation, blocked airports, disrupted numerous services, including metro systems and elevators, and caused widespread chaos across the Iberian Peninsula. Although a significant portion of the power supply was restored and transportation services resumed by the following morning, the cause of the major outage remains unclear, despite operators denying the possibility of a cyberattack or sabotage.
Consequences in Daily Life
In both countries, which are highly dependent on digital infrastructure, the impact was immediate and severe. Metro systems in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto came to a complete standstill, similar to a recent incident in Chile, leaving passengers trapped in tunnels. Hundreds of trains were halted, including high-speed services between Madrid and Barcelona. City streets descended into chaos due to non-functional traffic lights, while major airports such as Lisbon and Madrid suspended all operations.
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Hospitals operated on backup generators, but many medical procedures had to be cancelled. The lack of water supply and internet access further complicated the situation in healthcare facilities and private households. Authorities appealed to citizens to avoid calling emergency services unless absolutely necessary, to prevent overloading the system. In addition, police presence on the streets was significantly increased, as security risks tend to rise during widespread power outages, both in terms of traffic incidents and potential criminal activity.
The blackout also affected tens of thousands of tourists who happened to be in the region. Airports cancelled or delayed hundreds of flights. Although passengers were not entitled to financial compensation due to the extraordinary nature of the event, airlines were obligated to provide meals and, if necessary, temporary accommodation, according to international media reports.
While the basic functions of the energy systems have been largely restored today, following a near-complete blackout in Portugal and a widespread outage across many regions of Spain – including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and numerous other cities – the question remains: how could such a massive and simultaneous failure occur in two interconnected yet technically stable power grids.
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