Major Blackout Disrupts Spain, Portugal, and France: Millions Affected

On April 28, 2025, a major power outage impacted millions across Spain, Portugal, and France, resulting in the shutdown of vital infrastructure like airports and hospitals. The cause was linked to a disruption in the European electricity grid, leaving many cities in chaos.

On April 28, 2025, a widespread power outage hit Spain, along with sections of Portugal and France, causing significant disruptions across multiple sectors. Millions were affected as critical infrastructures including airports, train systems, and traffic management tools ceased operations, leading to chaos in urban areas.

The blackout was primarily attributed to a disturbance in the European electricity grid, though the precise cause has not been established. The outage triggered a substantial operational halt in hospitals throughout Spain, which resorted to emergency generators. Additionally, schools and banks in Portugal were forced to close, and activities at the Madrid Open tennis tournament experienced suspensions, further underlining the event's impact.

E-Redes, Portugal’s national energy supplier, elaborated that the disruptions stemmed from issues in high voltage lines, prompting significant power loss across various Spanish regions including Catalonia, Andalusia, and Murcia. Reports also indicated outages extending to France's Basque Coast and Burgundy.

Spain’s national power agency, Red Eléctrica, confirmed some recovery of power in certain areas. However, the gravity of the crisis was evident as transportation systems ground to a halt. Renfe, the Spanish national railway service, reported complete suspension of train operations and noted a significant impact on local transport networks, exacerbating commuter frustrations.

Daily life was drastically interrupted as power failures left businesses in major cities like Murcia unable to serve customers, with long lines building at ATMs, signifying public anxiety. 92-year-old Teresa Garcia waited helplessly outside her building, hoping for power restoration to use the elevator. Meanwhile, EasyJet announced disruptions at Spanish airports due to affected essential systems, suggesting delays were likely.

Despite the widespread chaos, certain activities remained ongoing, with some local flamenco classes continuing under natural sunlight streaming through windows. The situation is under further investigation, with updates expected as authorities continue to address and resolve the extensive fallout from this unfortunate event.