Massive Power Outage Cripples Spain, Portugal, and Parts of France

By Evans Momodu, published 15:23

Millions are left without electricity as Spain, Portugal, and parts of France suffer a massive blackout. Airports, hospitals, and communication networks face major disruptions. Details below.

A massive power outage swept across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on Monday, leaving millions without electricity and paralysing critical infrastructure, transportation, and communications.

The blackout, which struck late Monday morning, impacted the entire nations of Spain and Portugal, according to local reports. Major airports including Madrid’s Barajas International Airport and Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport were forced to shut down operations, while telecommunications failures left residents without mobile network access.

Mass transit systems were among the hardest hit, with metro passengers stranded in tunnels across Madrid and Lisbon. Euronews Portugal reported widespread disruptions to subway services, while airports across the Iberian Peninsula halted flights. Travellers from Brussels and other European cities found themselves stranded as inbound flights to Spain and Portugal were cancelled.

Hospitals were also affected. In Setúbal, Portugal, a hospital spokesperson told Euronews that although backup generators are maintaining critical services for now, the facility has lost both its water supply and internet connectivity. Surgeries and routine care in several facilities across Spain and Portugal have been suspended.

Authorities have urged citizens to refrain from dialing emergency services unless absolutely necessary to prevent overloading 112 lines.

Spain’s government convened an emergency meeting at Moncloa Palace to monitor the evolving situation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the control centre of Red Eléctrica, Spain’s electricity grid operator, for updates on the recovery efforts.

The European Commission released a statement confirming it was in close communication with national authorities and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) to assess the situation.

EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen expressed solidarity, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "We stand ready to support Spain and Portugal in restoring their systems."

Jørgensen added that power has already been restored in some regions and that network operators are working around the clock to bring the situation under control.
Source: CNN