Images of Chaos as Night Descends on Spain, Portugal Following Power Outage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Photos and videos continue to pop up online from the major power outages on Monday in Portugal, Spain, and parts of France.
Why It Matters
More than 50 million citizens across Portugal and Spain were affected by the general blackout that began around 12:15 p.m. local time in Spain on Monday.
The impact was felt immediately as vehicles became caught in traffic jams without operational lights; trains and subways stopped moving; telephone lines and mobile networks went down; card payment machines stopped functioning; and even a major tennis tournament, the Madrid Open, was halted.
A screen of delayed flights at Spain's Tenerife North Airport during a massive power cut affecting the entire Iberian peninsula and the south of France on April 28, 2025.
A screen of delayed flights at Spain's Tenerife North Airport during a massive power cut affecting the entire Iberian peninsula and the south of France on April 28, 2025.
MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images
Spain's busiest airport in Madrid lost electricity, while other major cities, including Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, lost power.
What To Know
REN, Portugal's grid operator, attributed the outage in Spain's electric grid to a "rare atmospheric phenomenon."
Temperature variations in the country led to "anomalous oscillations" in very high-voltage lines, REN said. Temperatures as of 7 p.m. local time in Spain remained as high as 70 degrees.
A woman buys coal at a gas station in Seville, Spain, during the power outage on April 28, 2025.
A woman buys coal at a gas station in Seville, Spain, during the power outage on April 28, 2025.
CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images
"Due to extreme temperature variations in the interior or Spain, there were anomalous oscillations in the very high voltage lines (400 KV), a phenomenon known as 'induced atmospheric vibration,'" REN said.
"These oscillations caused synchronization failures between the electrical systems, leading to successive disturbances across the interconnected European network."
A customer sits inside a bar in darkness Hernani, Spain, during the power outage on April 28, 2025.
A customer sits inside a bar in darkness Hernani, Spain, during the power outage on April 28, 2025.
ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images
Spain's Red Eléctrica said at the outset of the outage that national electricity demand plummeted from 27,500 megawatts to 15,000 megawatts.
🚨#BREAKING: Massive blackout Caused by "Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon"! 🤔
France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal were put in2 darkness! Airports shut, subways halted, comms disrupted. Portugal's grid operator blames a fault from a "rare atmospheric phenomenon" causing extreme temp... pic.twitter.com/NJxiybYjOi — In2ThinAir (@In2ThinAir) April 28, 2025
While video footage shared by RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster, showed evacuations from metro stations and halted trains in Barcelona, Portugal's National Authority for Emergencies and Civil Protection confirmed that backup power systems, including generators, were swiftly activated to allow hospitals and emergency services to continue operating.
People queue at a bus stop in Madrid as subway and trains are out of service due to the power outage on April 28, 2025.
People queue at a bus stop in Madrid as subway and trains are out of service due to the power outage on April 28, 2025.
THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez thanked the French and Moroccan governments for helping to restore power to northern and southern Spain, according to the Associated Press.
The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center stated that there was no indication the outage was due to a cyberattack.
Así está ahora mismo la Caja Mágica en pleno @MutuaMadridOpen
Vídeo de @libertaddigital pic.twitter.com/Pp3Rj4Qsnj — David Vinuesa Malbac (@Dvinuesa) April 28, 2025
In Terrassa, an industrial town about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Barcelona, stores ran out of generators for the public, per the AP.
The outage comes less than two weeks after Red Eléctrica confirmed that renewable energy sources fully met electricity demand across Spain's grid for the first time on April 16, according to PV Magazine in Spain.
It was a first for the country, which combined wind and photovoltaic (PV, or solar) power to generate 100.63 percent of total demand, and on a weekday, which was also new.
People buy groceries in a store during a shutdown of electricity in Lisbon, Portugal, on April 28, 2025.
People buy groceries in a store during a shutdown of electricity in Lisbon, Portugal, on April 28, 2025.What People Are Saying
Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida said: "I ask all residents of Madrid to keep their movements to an absolute minimum and, if at all possible, to remain where they are. We want to keep all roads clear."
Portuguese electricity distributor E-Redes blamed the blackout on a "problem with the European electricity system," according to local newspaper Expresso. The company said it had to deliberately cut power in some areas to stabilize the grid.
What Happens Next
By mid-afternoon local time, Spain's Red Eléctrica reported a gradual recovery in the country's northern and southern regions. Portuguese distributor E-Redes, which initially blamed the blackout on a "problem with the European electricity system," confirmed that power was being progressively restored across Lisbon, Porto, and other major cities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Multi-day severe weather threat looms for Minnesota and the Plains
Multi-day severe weather threat looms for Minnesota and the Plains originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The severe weather season could be ramping up in the Plains and Upper Midwest over the next week, with a target on Minnesota perhaps developing for Monday. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued slight risks for severe storms Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You can see the Day 4 risk for Monday is centered over South Dakota and Minnesota, reaching as far east as the Twin Cities metro. But Monday isn't the only day that strong or severe storms could pop in Minnesota. It's possible that intense storms develop Saturday evening and Sunday evening as well. "Currently, the best timing for rain each day looks to be in the afternoon and evening hours with showers and storms losing steam overnight with the loss of heating. Strong to severe storms will be a possibility each afternoon/evening through Wednesday," the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities said Friday. "It seems most probable that we'll see something similar to what we saw Thursday (a couple of isolated strong to severe storms each day)." One storm Thursday ripped through Hutchinson and produced an 86 mph wind gust, leaving behind extensive roof and tree damage. You can see the European model below supports an energized environment on Saturday evening with ample Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). The environment could allow for more strong storms to develop on Sunday evening. The atmosphere then gets even more primed for severe storms on Monday. The European model's lightning simulation Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning shows potential for a big line of storms roaring through the slight risk zone. The main threats, according to the Storm Prediction Center, will be large hail and damaging winds. One thing driving the heavy rain and severe threat will be rising dew points, which will soar into the upper 60s and low 70s Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We'll be keeping tabs on the forecast with daily updates, so check back for more and subscribe to our free BREAKING WEATHER newsletter. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated after unprecedented snowstorm destroys key crops: 'Will significantly affect the outlook'
Serbia's raspberry farmers are facing a tough season after unexpected snowfall hit the country's main growing regions in mid-May. The late-season snow blanketed raspberry plantations just weeks before harvest time, adding to crop damage that already started with April frost events, reported Fresh Plaza. On May 16, southern Serbia, home to most of the country's raspberry production, experienced surprising snowfall that covered farms. Social media filled with photos and videos showing raspberry plants buried under snow during what should have been their final growing period before harvest. Serbia ranks among the world's top exporters of frozen raspberries and typically starts delivering early-season berries to European markets by mid-June. While some greenhouse crops protected by plastic covers have begun harvesting, the snow threatens open-field crops developing fruit. The damage comes on top of April frost events that already hurt up to 50% of the potential raspberry yield. Some farmers now worry about losing their entire crop. "While some damage assessments may be emotional given the circumstances, it is clear that the snowfall will significantly affect the outlook for the frozen berry market," noted Andriy Yarmak, an economist with the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. When weather damages major fruit-producing regions, it creates ripple effects that reach your grocery store. Serbian raspberries supply European markets with frozen berries used in everything from smoothies to baked goods. Crop losses in key producing countries drive up prices for consumers who rely on affordable frozen fruit for healthy eating. Weather-related farming challenges are becoming more common across Europe. Similar problems hit Moldova, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania this season. For farming communities, these losses threaten livelihoods built over generations. Serbian raspberry farmers depend on consistent harvests to support their families and local economies. The pattern of unexpected weather events disrupting food production shows how our changing climate affects the stability of food supplies that communities count on. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Countries across Europe are working on strategies to help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. Some growers invest in protective structures like greenhouses and frost protection systems that shield crops during unexpected cold snaps. To support farming communities affected by weather damage, buy from local farmers' markets when possible and reduce food waste at home. Planning meals carefully and using frozen fruits fully helps make the most of available harvests. You can also support policy changes that help farmers access weather protection technology and crop insurance programs. These minor adjustments create more resilient food systems while helping communities adapt to changing conditions. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ireland and West Indies first T20 off after rain
Ireland and West Indies drew an ODI series last month [Getty Images] Ireland's first T20 international against West Indies has been abandoned because of consistent rain. The three-match series was due to begin at Bready on Thursday with subsequent meetings scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Advertisement The West Indies are returning to the area where they were bowled out for 25 in a famous Irish victory in 1969. The series is the second this year between the two sides who split an ODI series in Dublin last month.
