A massive power outage swept across Spain and Portugal on Monday, crippling public transportation systems, grounding flights, and causing widespread disruption.
According to the CNN, Authorities are investigating the cause, with cyberattack fears not yet ruled out.
The blackout struck unexpectedly, leaving thousands stranded in subways, elevators, and on traffic-choked streets. Officials in both Spain and Portugal quickly convened emergency meetings to coordinate a response, as utility companies scrambled to restore electricity across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of neighboring France.
“This is an unprecedented event,” a Spanish government source told reporters. “At this stage, we are not excluding any possibilities, including the potential of a cyberattack.”
Spain’s national grid operator, Red Eléctrica, confirmed it was working with regional energy companies to gradually restore service. Meanwhile, Portugal’s main utility, REN, said it had activated contingency plans and was coordinating closely with European grid operators.
“All measures for the phased restoration of power are being deployed,” a REN spokesperson stated. “The causes of this massive failure are under thorough evaluation.”
The blackout paralyzed Madrid’s metro system, left traffic lights non-functional across Lisbon and Porto, and suspended operations at key airports, where backup generators kicked in to maintain minimal activity. Airlines, including Portugal’s TAP Air and Spain’s airport operator AENA, reported significant flight delays.
“There was a sudden stop, and people were stuck inside metro trains,” said Maria Fernandez, a commuter trapped for nearly an hour underground in Madrid. “We had no communication until emergency teams arrived.”
Play at the Madrid Open tennis tournament was also halted when electronic systems went down mid-match. Top-seeded players, including Grigor Dimitrov and Jacob Fearnley, were forced off the court when scoreboards and broadcast equipment lost power.
French grid operator RTE noted that parts of southern France briefly experienced outages but had their systems quickly restored. “Investigations into the cross-border impact are ongoing,” RTE said.
Amid the chaos, Madrid’s central streets filled with people evacuated from office buildings, while police managed traffic manually in the absence of working signals. Emergency services also responded to reports of individuals trapped inside elevators.
“We have launched a full crisis management operation,” a senior Portuguese police official said. “Our priority remains public safety and assisting people affected by the disruption.”
While power was gradually being restored by late afternoon, the full cause of the blackout remains unclear. Both nations have pledged to keep the public updated as investigations continue.
