A massive blackout struck Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing widespread disruptions across the Iberian Peninsula. The outage, which hit just after midday, left millions without power, stranding passengers in trains and halting elevators, while phone and internet coverage were cut off.
By early Tuesday, over 80% of Spain’s electricity supply had been restored, with power returning to Madrid and Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. Despite this, no apparent cause for the outage has yet been identified, although speculation about a possible cyberattack spread on social media. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts of power caused the disruption and said authorities were analysing all potential causes.
The blackout, which briefly affected parts of southwest France and Morocco, caused chaos in cities across the two countries. In Madrid, passengers were trapped in elevators, and cash shortages led to long lines outside banks. In addition, many trains were halted, leaving thousands of people stranded.
While Spain’s nuclear power plants automatically shut down as a precaution, backup generators ensured they remained in a safe condition. Sanchez called the event a “serious disruption,” and European officials, including representatives from the European Commission, offered their support.
The outage also disrupted flights to and from Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon, with air traffic management organisation Eurocontrol confirming delays. As the recovery continues, authorities are urging caution and reminding citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.