Spain opens SABOTAGE probe into blackouts as timeline pinpoints mystery ‘events'…& ‘unusual activity' spotted in UK grid
SPAIN has launched a sabotage investigation into the devastating power outages based on two mysterious "events".
The national grid released a timeline of
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A worker assists a customer with a torch at a supermarket during a power outage which hit large parts of Spain
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A city police officer directs traffic during the chaos
Credit: Alamy
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Travellers were stranded amid travel chaos
Credit: Alamy
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The cause of the blackouts is unknown - but would fit with the string of recent Russian plots against Europe
Suspicions were raised of a Russian sabotage attack almost immediately after
Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusian regional government, said a cyber attack is the most likely cause - and claimed that everything pointed towards a deliberate scheme.
Red Eléctrica de España, Spain's electricity board, produced a report showing a power-loss event at 12:33pm - followed by another just 1.5 seconds later.
And the network between Spain and France went down 3.5 seconds after that.
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Based on the information, National Court judge José Luis Calama opened up an investigation to determine whether sabotage and cyberterrorism were at play.
He demanded a more detailed preliminary report from the grid and investigators within ten days.
In an emailed statement, he said that while the root of the blackout is still unknown 'cyber terrorism is among the possibilities'.
It has also emerged that Britain's electricity grid operator is investigating mystery outages in the UK's system hours before Spain and Portugal were plunged into blackouts.
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The control room staff noticed suspicious activity on Sunday that involved unexpected shifts in the power frequency in the early morning and the evening.
A steady frequency within certain limits is vital to keeping power flowing.
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Police cars patrol traffic caused by dead traffic lights in Madrid
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Food stands in Barcelona attempt to keep running during the blackout
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Timeline of Russian sabotage attacks across Europe
SINCE the war in Ukraine it is believed the Russians have launched a wave of sabotage attacks across Europe.
Oslo, Norway, June 29, 2022
- Cyberattack renders government websites unusable for 24 hours
Riga, Latvia, February 27, 2024
- Arson attack on'Museum of the Occuption'
London, UK, March 20, 2024
- Wagner-group linked arson attack at warehouse.
Wroclaw, Poland, April 18, 2024
- Plot to assassinate Zelensky foiled
Warsaw, Poland, April 13, 2024
- Warsaw shopping centre torched by suspected Russian agent
Berlin, Germany, May 3, 2024
- Cyberattacks on German politicians and companies
Prague, Czechia, May 3, 2024
- Mass cyber attacks on government and infrastructure
Vilnius, Lithuania, May, 9, 2024
- Arson attack on Ikea - targeted as store was same colour as Ukrainian flag
Paris, France, June 7, 2024 -
Russian accused of planning plot to plant bomb at D-day celebration.
Dusseldorf, Germany, July 12
,
2024
- Western intelligence reveal plot to assassinate German arms boss.
Birmingham, UK, July 22, 2024
- Russia suspected of planting device at DHL depot.
Warsaw, November 8, 2024
- Prosecutors reveal Russian parcel bomb plot across Europe
Vilnius, Lithuania, November 25, 2024
- DHL cargo plane crashes after suspected Russian package bomb
Baltic Sea, December 25, 2024 -
Estlink-2 cable cut by ship anchor - one of many cable cutting attacks linked to Russia
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