By Spain’s Interior Ministry declared a state of emergency on Monday following a widespread power outage that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula. The blackout, which struck shortly after 10:30 a.m. GMT, disrupted major services across Spain and Portugal-halting trains, cutting phone signals, disabling traffic lights, and prompting panic buying in stores.
The emergency status will apply only to regions that formally request it. So far, Madrid, Andalusia, and Extremadura have asked the central government to take over public order and other responsibilities.
Cities including Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia were heavily impacted. People were trapped in lifts and metro stations, and chaotic scenes unfolded as evacuations took place across rail networks and underground systems. Traffic congestion surged in central Madrid due to non-functioning traffic lights.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the blackout to a “strong oscillation” in the European power grid, though the exact cause remains unknown. He urged the public to avoid speculation and to contact emergency services only when necessary. By Monday night, Sanchez announced that around half of Spain’s electricity supply had been restored, with full recovery expected by Tuesday.
Portuguese grid operator REN pointed to a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” caused by extreme temperature fluctuations in Spain, warning that it could take up to a week to fully stabilize the grid.
Airports were also affected, with multiple delays and cancellations reported. TAP Air, Portugal’s national airline, advised travelers not to go to the airport until further notice.
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