MADRID, SPAIN – Spain has declared a state of emergency as a catastrophic and unprecedented power cut continues to cripple the Iberian Peninsula, leaving millions in darkness and causing widespread transport chaos, particularly in neighboring Portugal. The blackout, which struck unexpectedly on Monday afternoon, has brought major cities to a standstill, snarling traffic, halting train services, and disrupting essential infrastructure.
The sheer scale of the outage is staggering, impacting vast swathes of both Spain and Portugal. Major urban centers including Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Valencia, Seville, and Porto have been plunged into darkness, with reports of widespread disruption to traffic lights, metro systems, and even mobile phone networks.
In Spain, the government announced the state of emergency late Monday evening, a move intended to expedite the mobilization of resources and coordinate the response to the unfolding crisis. The Interior Ministry confirmed that the emergency status would apply to regions requesting assistance, with Madrid, Andalusia, and Extremadura among the first to seek central government intervention to maintain public order and manage essential services.
The national railway operator Renfe remains in a state of near-total shutdown, with trains across the country halted and passengers stranded. Madrid’s Barajas International Airport experienced significant disruptions, with flights delayed and cancellations mounting, leaving travelers facing uncertainty. The capital’s metro system was partially evacuated, and authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as traffic lights remained non-functional, leading to gridlock on major arteries.
The situation in Portugal appears equally dire, with the Lisbon and Porto metro systems at a standstill and widespread traffic light failures causing significant congestion. Prime Minister LuÃs Montenegro, who convened an emergency cabinet meeting, described the situation as “grave” and acknowledged the severe impact on the country’s infrastructure and daily life. Reports from Lisbon indicated that some hospitals were relying on backup generators, and electronic payment systems had been widely affected.
“Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon” Under Scrutiny
While the definitive cause of the massive blackout remains under intense investigation, Portugal’s national electricity grid operator REN has pointed towards a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” originating in Spain as the most likely trigger. According to REN, extreme temperature variations in the Spanish interior led to “anomalous oscillations” in high-voltage power lines, causing a cascading failure across the interconnected Iberian grid.
However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged caution, emphasizing that all potential causes, including technical malfunctions and the possibility of external interference, were being thoroughly examined. He acknowledged the severity of the situation and assured the public that efforts to restore power were proceeding with utmost urgency, with some power being progressively restored in northern, southern, and western Spain.
Transport Network Paralysis and Public Anxiety
The paralysis of transport networks in both countries is a major source of concern. In Lisbon, subway cars were reportedly evacuated, and streets became choked with traffic as traffic lights failed. Portuguese police were deployed in greater numbers to manually direct traffic and respond to a surge in calls for assistance, including reports of individuals trapped in elevators.
The disruption has also sparked public anxiety. In Madrid, reports of panic buying emerged as residents flocked to stores to stock up on essential items like radios, batteries, torches, and candles. Mobile phone networks and internet connectivity have been intermittent in many affected areas, further compounding the sense of unease.
The duration of the blackout remains uncertain. While Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica initially estimated a 6-to-10-hour window for full restoration, Portugal’s REN has warned that fully stabilizing the country’s power grid could potentially take up to a week.
The unprecedented scale of this power outage across two major European nations raises serious questions about the resilience of interconnected energy infrastructure and the potential for cascading failures. As investigations continue, the immediate priority remains restoring power and mitigating the widespread disruption that has plunged the Iberian Peninsula into an unexpected crisis.