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Massive Power Outage Affects Iberian Peninsula
On April 28, a significant power outage impacted large areas of Portugal, Spain, and parts of France and Italy, occurring around 11:40 am local time in Lisbon.
The Spanish power grid operator, Red Electrica, announced efforts to restore power and collaborate with relevant companies to address the situation. In Portugal, the electrical distribution firm E-REDES explained that the outage stemmed from a problem within the European electricity grid.
In addition, various hospitals across Portugal faced electricity shortages, including the Curry Cabral Hospital, where medical staff reported difficulties accessing vital computer systems, raising concerns over the preservation of vaccines stored in refrigerators.
Portugal’s National Institute of Medical Emergencies has activated emergency protocols, urging citizens to refrain from calling 112 unless faced with a serious emergency to prevent overwhelming the phone lines. Additionally, Portugal’s police force advised drivers to take caution due to potential traffic light failures, emphasizing the need for careful driving to ensure safety.
In Spain, the power outage disrupted performances at the Madrid Open, leaving spectators on lower levels in almost complete darkness.
An official, speaking to Politico, stated that a crisis committee has been formed to manage the unfolding situation. While the precise cause of the blackout remains unclear, possibilities include technical failures or a cyberattack, with investigations actively ongoing.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines due to significant delays reported at major airports, including international terminals in Lisbon and Madrid. Reports indicate that arriving flights are becoming stranded on the tarmac in Madrid, with airport authorities not permitting passengers to disembark.
As for the airport in Lisbon, it is similarly experiencing disruptions, with El País noting ongoing flight delays and that power restoration efforts had not succeeded as of 12:50 pm local time.
This is a developing story.
Source
www.travelandleisure.com