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Authorities have reported significant disruptions in Spain and Portugal due to a major power outage that occurred on Monday, affecting millions and sparking widespread chaos.
Countless residents lost access to electricity, with internet and cellular services also impacted. Numerous train services faced cancellations and evacuations, while traffic light outages led to mounting delays at airports. Shops, homes, and restaurants were plunged into darkness, and some individuals found themselves trapped in elevators. By mid-afternoon, Spain’s electricity service noted that power restoration efforts could take several hours.
Political leaders in Spain indicated that the cause of the outage remained unclear, although there were no signs suggesting a cyber attack.
When Did the Outage Begin?
The outage reportedly first began around midday (10:00 GMT), rapidly escalating in severity. In light of the situation, authorities advised residents in Madrid to remain indoors and avoid using roadways unless absolutely necessary, asking them to refrain from contacting emergency services unless faced with a critical situation.
One Spanish electricity provider estimated that power restoration could require up to ten hours, while Portugal’s REN predicted it might take up to a week for full recovery.
As the power failure persisted, many residents flocked to ATMs due to disruptions in card payments, leading to long queues. Reports also emerged detailing that several petrol stations had closed. In response to the emergency, some hospitals activated contingency plans, pausing routine operations.
As evening approached, sporadic reports began circulating of power being restored in various regions, with the Spanish grid operator confirming that electricity was being reestablished in numerous areas across the Iberian Peninsula.
Both Portuguese and Spanish authorities are diligently investigating the reason behind the massive power cuts, with European Council President Antonio Costa stating that there were currently no indications of a cyberattack.
The mayor of Madrid, José Luis MartÃnez-Almeida, urged residents via social media to limit their movements and retain roadway accessibility for emergency services, urging individuals to only reach out for assistance if their situation was genuinely urgent.
What Has Been the Impact?
The country’s nuclear facilities automatically shut down amid the blackout, and the Spanish oil firm Moeve reported it halted operations at its refineries. Flight operations were notably disrupted, with numerous delays and cancellations plaguing various airports. EasyJet acknowledged operational interruptions at airports in Lisbon and Madrid, advising passengers to remain updated on local conditions.
Data from aviation analytics company Cirium revealed that 96 flights departing from Portugal and 45 from Spain were canceled due to this incident.
Commercial enterprises also faced significant challenges, with certain Ikea locations in Spain resorting to backup generators and limiting customer access to their stores. Additionally, organizers of the Madrid Open Tennis event announced the cancellation of activities scheduled for Monday.
The outage’s effects were felt beyond the borders of these two nations, impacting regions in Andorra and some areas of France, although the Balearic and Canary Islands remained unaffected.
Source
www.bbc.com