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3h ago

Massive Power Outage Disrupts Spain and Portugal, Restoration Underway

A rare atmospheric phenomenon caused grid failure, halting transport and services across the Iberian Peninsula, with full recovery expected within hours.

Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 28, 2025 General view of an empty court as the matches get suspended due to a power outage REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
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People check their mobile phones as they stand outside a closed subway station following a power outage in Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
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Overview

  • The blackout, starting around 12:30 PM local time, left millions across Spain and Portugal without electricity, affecting cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona.
  • Authorities attributed the outage to rare atmospheric-induced oscillations in high-voltage lines, ruling out cyberattacks as a cause.
  • Transport systems, including trains, metros, and traffic lights, were halted, while airports faced delays and disruptions due to the power failure.
  • Emergency meetings were convened by Spanish and Portuguese governments, with grid operators working to restore power in phases, focusing on northern and southern regions first.
  • Essential services, including hospitals, operated on backup generators, while public events like the Madrid Open tennis tournament were suspended.