Massive Power Outage Strikes Spain, Portugal, and France

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A significant power outage on April 28, 2025, left millions without electricity across Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France, causing disruptions to various transportation systems. The blackout began around 12:30 p.m. local time, according to Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, affecting regions including Madrid and Barcelona.

Spanish train operator Renfe confirmed that the outage halted train services nationwide, leading to canceled departures and the evacuation of subway stations. Red Electrica, Spain's state electricity network operator, announced it had restored power in some areas but did not specify the cause of the outage. In Portugal, the REN operator indicated that the entire Iberian Peninsula experienced outages due to a "problem with the European electricity system," leading to power cuts in several regions to stabilize the network.

Air traffic in Spain and Portugal was also impacted, with reports of chaos at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport, where travelers faced long queues without air conditioning or running water. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is assessing the situation at the Red Electrica control center, as residents report widespread disruptions in communication networks and public services.

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