Major Power Disruption Affects Millions in Spain, France, and Portugal

A catastrophic power outage on April 28, 2025, left millions in Spain, France, and Portugal without electricity, severely impacting transportation systems and essential services. Authorities are investigating the cause, which they believe is linked to issues within the European grid.

A major power disruption struck Spain on April 28, 2025, resulting in widespread chaos as cities experienced blackouts that halted train services, closed airports, and disabled traffic lights. The event affected millions across the Iberian Peninsula, with parts of France also facing interruptions.

Initial reports suggest that the outage was the result of a malfunction within the European electricity grid, though the exact cause remains unclear. In Spain, hospitals were swiftly forced to rely on backup generators, while schools and banks in Portugal underlined the severity of the situation by shutting down completely. The disruption notably impacted sporting events, including matches at the prestigious Madrid Open tennis tournament, which were temporarily suspended.

In Murcia, one of the key cities affected, traffic flowed desultorily without the usual management of traffic signals, causing frustration among drivers. E-Redes, Portugal's national energy supplier, indicated that the blackout extended to regions in Spain, including Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country, as well as parts of France, notably the Burgundy region.

Spanish power company, Red Eléctrica, announced via social media that some areas were beginning to regain power, yet the full extent of the outages was still being assessed. António Leitão Amaro, Portugal’s Minister of State for the Presidency, reassured the public on national radio, negating any suspicion of a cyberattack as the cause of this unprecedented blackout.

In response to the nationwide emergency, Renfe, the national railway company, confirmed that all train operations across the country had ceased after a total cut-off of the National Electricity Grid at midday. Local train services also reported disruptions throughout Valencia, contributing to the widespread chaos.

With daily life severely hindered, many businesses, including restaurants, paused operations entirely, while church services were also suspended. Long queues formed outside ATMs as residents sought cash in a landscape where electronic transactions were rendered impossible.

While complications continued at Spanish airports, EasyJet warned passengers of potential delays due to ongoing infrastructural challenges. However, not all activities were halted; flamenco classes in Murcia still proceeded, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid the incident.

This remains an evolving story, and updates will continue to emerge as authorities work to accommodate the pressing needs of the affected populations in the coming hours and days.