Airports, Metro Stations Come To A Halt, Streets In Chaos: Millions Hit By Europe's Mega Outage
Europe Power Outage: The power outage affected road, rail and air traffic, out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines, causing chaos in the region.
Europe Power Outage: A widespread power outage knocked out electricity in major parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, shutting off traffic lights and causing chaos at airports, train stations and on the roads.
The power outage affected road, rail and air traffic, out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines, causing chaos in the region.
In Portugal, the outage hit the capital, Lisbon, and surrounding areas, as well as northern and southern parts of the country. Portugal's grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) said electrical supply was lost across the entire Iberian peninsula, and in parts of France, reported CNN. It could be several hours until power is fully restored, Spain's grid operator said, meaning parts of the two countries could be plunged into darkness once the sun sets.
Several dramatic videos on the social media platforms showed how Spain and Portugal have plunged into chaos after the outage.
Barajas Airport in Madrid remains without power while the Valencia metro suspended all services. Metrovalencia, which encompasses both metro and tram services in Valencia, said there was disruption due to a 'general power outage". It added, 'The extent and duration of the outage are unknown."
Spain's national rail operator, Renfe, said no single service had been able to leave stations following the outage. Parts of Madrid underground have been evacuated and traffic lights in the city are not working, local media reported.
CNN. 'I saw a massive bus coming, and I had to accelerate a lot to go past it."
#Blackout in #Europe – Spain, Portugal, Belgium and France left without power and communications pic.twitter.com/7B1vpCLaeO — Oo ps (@ps_trump) April 28, 2025
Eerie footage shows commuters in Madrid being evacuated through tunnels as blackouts hit underground stations and halted trains.
A massive blackout sweeps across Europe, leaving countries like France, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal without power.The outage cripples critical infrastructure, shutting down airports, halting subway systems, and disrupting communication networks.
Authorities say the cause of… pic.twitter.com/tF3WM7phYP
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) April 28, 2025
Just in.Mass Blackouts in Spain, Portugal and in part of France.
Every single part of digital life from shops, to traffic lights, hospitals, airports, phones, and trains, all down. pic.twitter.com/ETDgtfE9wk
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) April 28, 2025
Metro system travellers in Lisbon were also seen attempting to use their phones in the pitch-black tunnels as staff assist with torches.
Airports have also been affected, with emergency generators turned on at Porto and Faro airport. Operations remain 'limited' at several airports, according to officials.
BREAKING 🚨: MAJOR POWER CUT has hit Spain, Portugal and France. The Madrid underground has been evacuated and trains have been stopped.Airports have come to a stop, traffic lights are out of order, and internet connectivity is unavailable.
The cause? Still unclear. pic.twitter.com/c2ICHuj6PR
— The British Patriot (@TheBritLad) April 28, 2025
Dozens of air travellers waiting in standstill traffic near Lisbon's airport have exited vehicles and opted to walk in a last ditch hope to catch their flight, footage obtained by The Telegraph showed. But when they arrived at the terminal, the travellers were met yet again with long queues.
In Madrid, hundreds of people stood in the streets outside office buildings and there was a heavy police presence around some important buildings, with officers directing traffic as well as driving along central atriums with lights.
🇪🇺 Major Blackouts Hit Western EuropeWidespread power outages hit Portugal, Spain, Andorra, and France. The cause remains unclear as of now. Some reports suggest a possible spread to Belgium and the Netherlands, though this isn't confirmed yet. pic.twitter.com/rrOPTkZh2j
— Conflict Dispatch (@ConflictDISP) April 28, 2025
Madrid's mayor José Luis Martinez Almeida asked people to minimize their movements and only call emergency services if it was truly urgent. He also called on people to stay clear of the roads for emergency workers. Later in the day, Madrid's emergency services provider urged the country's government to declare a national emergency.
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