Massive Blackout Disrupts Spain, Portugal, and Southern France; Millions Affected
A widespread power outage plunged Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France into chaos on Monday, halting transportation, crippling communication networks, and leaving millions without electricity. Grid operators confirmed the unprecedented blackout, though its cause remains unknown.
- Transportation Gridlock: Spain’s railway operator Adif reported nationwide train stoppages, while metro systems in cities like Madrid and Barcelona ground to a halt. Traffic lights failed, prompting Spain’s DGT road authority to urge drivers to avoid roads. Airports also faced “several incidents,” according to Aena, though specifics were not disclosed.
- Communication Breakdown: Mobile networks collapsed, forcing residents in Madrid and Barcelona to flood streets in search of signal. Many turned to radios for updates as internet access vanished.
- Government Response: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rushed to Red Electrica’s headquarters for emergency briefings. The operator confirmed partial power restoration in northern and southern Spain but warned the crisis was ongoing.
Regional Scope and Timeline
Portugal’s REN operator stated the outage struck the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern France at 11:33 a.m. local time. Photos from Spain’s El País showed darkened offices, stalled metro trains, and police manually directing traffic.
Madrid Open Tennis Tournament Disrupted
The blackout interrupted play at the Madrid Open, suspending a match between Grigor Dimitrov and Jacob Fearnley. Tournament organizers cited failed electronic line-calling systems and a stranded spider cam over the court. ATP officials confirmed delays, with no timeline for resumption.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Red Electrical emphasized teams were “working to bring back power,” prioritizing critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Portugal’s REN and French grid operators collaborated to stabilize the grid, though full restoration timelines were unclear.
