**Widespread Power Outage Disrupts Life Across Spain and Portugal**

**A power outage that began around midday on Monday led to widespread disruption across Spain and Portugal, forcing evacuations and major delays in public services.**

 

A significant power outage struck large areas of Spain and Portugal on Monday afternoon, resulting in chaos and inconvenience for millions of residents. With widespread electricity loss, essential services like internet, phone networks, and public transportation faced severe interruptions. In the wake of the blackout, many trains were halted and evacuated, and traffic signals were rendered useless, leading to extensive airport delays.

Photos flooded social media showing shops, homes, and restaurants plunged into darkness, while some individuals found themselves trapped in elevators. Authorities from Spain's electricity network indicated that power restoration efforts could take several hours—potentially up to ten. Meanwhile, Portugal's power agency warned that complete restoration might span until the end of the week.

The outage initiated around midday (13:00 BST) and escalated quickly through multiple regions. Officials in Madrid cautioned citizens to stay indoors and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, advising against calling emergency services unless it was a "true emergency."

The areas affected suffered from various consequences. Public transport in Madrid experienced significant interruptions, leading to long queues at cash machines due to compromised card payment systems—some fuel stations even faced closures. Reportedly, several hospitals initiated emergency protocols, including limiting non-critical procedures.

As the hours dragged on, residents in certain regions began reporting that their power was being restored. Spanish grid operators announced progress in restoring electricity in northern, southern, and western parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

While many remained anxious, officials reinforced that there were no apparent indications of a cyberattack as the cause of the blackout, with European Council President Antonio Costa affirming the investigation was ongoing.

Madrid’s Mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, emphasized the need for citizens to minimize movement and keep roadways clear. People were urged to visit police or fire stations directly if emergency services were unavailable.

The blackout also had notable consequences for energy production, as several nuclear power plants automatically ceased operations with the loss of power. The oil company Moeve suspended its refinery activities, and flight operations faced significant interruptions as easyJet reported delays and cancellations at Lisbon and Madrid. Several businesses were affected, including IKEA stores in Spain which switched to generator power, preventing customer entry. Additionally, the scheduled matches of the Madrid Open Tennis event were canceled for the day.

The event's impact extended beyond Spain and Portugal, affecting Andorra and parts of France, though the Balearic and Canary Islands were reported to remain unaffected.