Spain and Portugal Hit by Massive Blackout, Emergency Declared
The blackout has affected over 60 million people, causing widespread disruptions, including halted subway trains, cut phone service and internet connections, and shut down ATM machines and traffic lights. The situation is being closely monitored, with experts working to determine the cause and prevent such incidents in the future.
A massive power outage has struck large parts of Spain and Portugal, affecting over 60 million people and causing widespread disruption, with both countries scrambling to restore power and determine the cause of the blackout.
The power cut, which has left thousands of people stranded, has been attributed to an unknown cause, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ruling out a cyber attack. The Interior Ministry in Spain has declared a state of emergency, with regions requesting the central government to take over public order and other functions. Madrid, Andalusia, and Extremadura are among the regions affected, with the government offering additional support to those affected.
In Portugal, the Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has also attributed the power cut to an unknown cause, with reports of traffic chaos and gridlock in major cities like Lisbon. Sections of Lisbon Airport have been closed, and police are working to control the flow of passengers. Experts are weighing in on possible causes, including a rare atmospheric phenomenon called "induced atmosphere vibration" and grid issues, such as a physical fault or a dramatic imbalance between demand and supply.
The interconnectivity of the national grids and their systems has made the situation more complex, according to experts. Red Electrica, Spain's national grid operator, reported that power supplies had been restored to some parts of the region, but the exact cause of the outage remains unclear. The Spanish government has assured that it is working to restore power as quickly as possible, with the situation being described as chaotic and many people left confused and anxious.
As the investigation into the cause of the blackout continues, both Spain and Portugal are working to restore normalcy and provide support to those affected. The situation highlights the importance of a reliable and resilient energy grid, and the need for countries to be prepared for such large-scale disruptions.