Canary Island hotspot plunged into blackout as disaster blamed on one thing
Around 50,000 people were left without electricity for hours this week after a blackout struck a popular Canary Island hotspot for the second time this year
Chaos has erupted on a popular holiday destination after a huge blackout plunged the island into darkness. La Palma, part of the Spanish-owned Canary Islands, is one of the lesser-known hotspots of the archipelago.
Last year, it attracted around 120,000 international and domestic visitors - which may seem a lot - but feels like a mere drop in the ocean compared to the seven million that flocked to Tenerife during the same period.
Famed for its rugged volcanic landscape, rich wildlife, and clear skies that are perfect for stargazing, the island offers a more chilled-out vibe compared to its insatiably popular neighbours. Here, you won't have to rub shoulders with a complete stranger when sunbathing on the beach, or trying to get last-minute dinner reservations.
But, on June 10 a significant power cut struck the island, leaving around 50,000 residents in the dark. Considering the island only has a population of around 84,000 people - this shows just how widespread the fault was.
The blackout, which occurred around 5.30pm, was attributed to a turbine malfunction at the Los Guinchos power station. The Canary Islands authorities swiftly swung into action, launching an emergency Civil Protection plan.
No injuries have been reported following the temporary power loss. However, local media says firefighters were called to assist people who were left stuck in elevators, while families were left to navigate life in the dark.
The power cut comes shortly after a previous severe outage that sparked chaos last month (May 8), which impacted nearly 20,000 people. Island president Sergio Rodriguez voiced his frustration following the latest outage, criticising La Palma as an island 'which is not in the first world '.
He urgently called for intervention from both Madrid and the regional government, stating: "The power station we've got is obsolete and slows down our development." But, by around 8.30pm, updates from the national grid operator, Redeia, indicated that power had been restored to about 30 per cent of those hit by the afternoon's electrical disruption, reports the Express.
By the end of the night, Endesa, Spain's largest electricity company confirmed power had been fully restored. "The causes of the incident are being analysed," it added.
The blackout follows a series of infrastructure problems that have wreaked havoc on the nation. Back in April, the Iberian peninsula was hit by a major power outage that is reported to have affected tens of millions of people. This incident is still being investigated by officials.
According to the Telegraph, just a week later and thousands of railway passengers were left stranded after thieves stole copper cables from the high-speed train line connected Seville to Madrid. "Then Telefónica, a telecoms company in which the state has a 10 per cent stake, suffered a power cut for several hours that cut emergency service lines and the internet in parts of the country," the publication added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Landlocked city home to one of Europe's warmest beaches hotter than Tenerife
Córdoba in central southern Spain has one of the warmest beaches in Europe. Valdearenas Beach sits on the banks of a reservoir and delivers bright blue water and orange sand A landlocked city in Spain is home to one of the warmest beaches. Think of Córdoba, and it's probably images of historical buildings and art galleries that come to mind. The Spanish city is one of Europe's culture capitals - home to the most UNESCO sites in the world including the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Medina Azahara, the city's historic centre, and the Courtyards Festival of Córdoba. The city has now become an even more compelling destination after a new study by Saga Holidays revealed it's also home to one of Europe's warmest beaches. Although not a coastal destination, Valdearenas Beach in Córdoba sits by a stunning lake with sandy shores and promises tourists average temperatures of 31°C in the high season. It outperforms two coastal competitors in Badajoz; Playa de Cheles and Playa de Orellana, by just 1°C. The beach is something to behold. In the summer months watersports enthusiasts and sunbathers descend on it in great numbers, thronging over sand that is a brilliant orange colour and into bright blue water. A recent visitor to the beach said they were "incredulous" when they heard that there was a beach near Córdoba, given the settlements' setting more than 100 miles from the coastline. They had not heard that around 40 years ago the lake was dug out of the hillside to serve as a reservoir, with sand artificially piled up on one corner to provide a public place to splash and sunbathe. "I come early morning to walk my dog. The views are incredible. Some mornings it is just so quiet, you feel like the only person on earth. After the walk, and the dogs swim! It;s off up the track for breakfast. Come here in the afternoon and sit with a drink and watch everyone enjoying the lake and the facilities. On an evening, watch the sun go down," one enthusiastic fan of Valdearenas Beach wrote on Tripadvisor. There are plenty of reasons to plan a trip to Córdoba, not least that the area, enjoys over 300 days of sunshine throughout the year. The multiple religions, cultures, and civilizations that have lived in this fascinating city are reflected in its fascinating architecture and food. READ MORE: Holidaymakers stuck on Greek island thanks to little-known rule Founded by the Romans, the city was later ruled by the Visigoths and then became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and Europe's second-largest city by the 10th century. The city was then taken by Christian forces in 1236 and integrated into the Kingdom of Castile. Other notable attractions include the Roman Bridge, built in the 1st century BC and reconstructed multiple times, and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a medieval fortress and former residence of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II, which also served as a seat for the Spanish Inquisition.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
EasyJet passengers can get best seats 'completely free' with simple check-in tip
easyJet is a popular budget airline for Brits looking to book a cheap getaway, but passengers will need to act fast if they want to get the best seats onboard for free easyJet, renowned for its competitively priced airfares with offerings starting from just £25.99 for summer flights, often sees the cost for passengers climb as they add extras to their journey. Those yearning to secure additional baggage or fancy choosing a specific seat will notice their bargain fare gently escalating. The popular low-cost airline has a clear stance on seat selection; if patrons wish to handpick their seats, they'll need to dip into their pockets. Explaining their policy, easyJet said: "You can choose where you'd like to sit for a fee. Seats can be selected at the time of booking, or at any time before you check-in, via Manage bookings on our website or mobile app." Travelers are given three pricing tiers depending on the type of seat sought - standard, extra legroom, or up-front positions. However, for those unwilling to splurge on seating, early check-in is the tactical alternative, reports the Express. A feature that distinguishes easyJet from other carriers is the ability to check in as much as 30 days prior to departure. They noted: "If you don't select a seat we'll assign seats randomly for free when you check in and will do all we can to ensure everyone on the booking sits together. However, this is not guaranteed, especially when checking in closer to departure." It's wise, therefore, for passengers looking to nab the best available seats available and who wish to stick close to their travelling companions, to act swiftly and check in at the earliest opportunity. If you're the type who prefers a specific seat or section of the plane, it might be worth paying in advance. The price of seats fluctuates based on when you book and your preferred location within the aircraft. Seats in the first row, offering additional legroom, start from £12.99, while up-front or overwing seats with extra legroom begin at £7.99. Other standard seats can be switched for as little as 99p, depending on your desired location onboard and the timing of your booking. Seat selection can be made at the time of booking, or anytime prior to check-in by logging into manage your booking online or via the mobile app.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight
SOL LONG I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AFTER years of bouncing between the usual Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol, there's one beach town I keep going back to - and hardly any Brits know about it. Called El Palmar de Vejer - or just El Palmar by locals - this little surf town on the south-west coast in the province of Cádiz, is one of Spain's best-kept secrets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 I've found the quieter side of Spain without the Brits Credit: Alamy 7 It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret Credit: Lee Bell 7 There's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts Credit: Alamy It's laid-back, raw, and totally free of the usual Brits-abroad buzz. And that's exactly why it's so good. It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret. Spanish locals love it - especially those from Madrid, who drive down for the summer holidays. But it's rare you'll hear anyone speaking English, and I've never once seen a big group of British tourists here. If you want sun, space, proper Spanish food and a bit of surf, this is the place. El Palmar is all about the beach - and it's a big one. It's long, wide and open, with soft golden sand and a breeze that rolls in off the Atlantic. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' because it's got that same laid-back, surfy vibe you get in California. And they're not wrong - it really does feel like Spain's answer to the west coast of the US. Just less polished - and no loud Americans. Phew. What's more, there's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts. Instead, you'll find only small holiday apartments, beachside glamping sites and independent surf lodges. A lot of the accommodation is low-key - think bungalows behind the dunes or boutique guesthouses a short walk from the beach. One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views 7 It feels more like California Credit: Alamy The town itself is more of a strip - a few shops, surf schools, and beach bars, all built into the landscape. There's no real centre, but that's part of the charm. It's the kind of place where you can go barefoot all day and no one would batter an eyelid. The whole of El Palmar feels peaceful and raw in the best way. It's not overly polished or fancy, but that's the appeal. You wake up to the sound of waves, stroll out to a café for breakfast, hit the beach, maybe do a surf lesson or just lie in the sun, then head to one of the chiringuitos for lunch. These chiringuitos are what make it for me. These are beach bars right on the sand, serving cold drinks and some of the best seafood I've had in Spain. You can get a table with your feet in the sand, order a plate of prawns or tuna tartare, and just sit watching the waves roll in and the sun in your face. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' for the surfy vibe Most places also do proper Andalusian paella, fried fish, grilled sardines - all cooked fresh and served with a side of salty air. It's not expensive, either. You can get a great meal with drinks for under €20 if you know where to go. In the evenings, some bars have live music - usually acoustic, sometimes a bit of flamenco. It's never full-on party mode, but it's sociable and fun. You won't find bar crawls or club reps here - just locals and in-the-know visitors enjoying the sunsets, which are nearly always amazing. El Palmar's great for doing absolutely nothing. But if you fancy mixing things up, there's a lot to explore nearby. About 15 minutes inland is the whitewashed hill town of Vejer de la Frontera. Here you'll find quaint narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views. 7 Visit the nearby Vejer de la Frontera Credit: Alamy 7 Make sure to explore the Old Quarter too Credit: Alamy You can head up for lunch or dinner, wander the old quarter, and enjoy a change of scenery without going too far. Further down the coast is Tarifa - Europe's southernmost town and the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Med. It's more built-up, with a mix of surf shops, Moroccan cafés and tapas bars. It's a great spot if you want something a bit more lively for a day or two - or even to bolt onto your El Palmar trip. And just up the coast is Cádiz city, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Cadiz is full of history, with colourful buildings, crumbling castles, seafood markets and buzzing tapas bars. You could easily spend a day there before heading back to your beach base. How to get there El Palmar's not the easiest place to reach - but that's why you don't see many tourists there, adding to its charm. Hiring a car from airports Seville or Malaga is probably your easiest option. It's under two hours from Seville, and about 2.5 from Málaga. The roads are easy, the views are decent, and once you're there, you'll be glad you didn't mess about with transfers. But if you're lacking a driving licence but have plenty of patience, you can still get there by public transport. From Seville, take a train to San Fernando Bahía Sur station, which is about 1.5 hours away and costs about €17 (£14). From there, it's a 35-minute taxi ride to the beach, which will cost about €70 (£60). You can also go via Cádiz, which has a direct bus to El Palmar run by Transportes Generales Comes. It takes just over an hour and is fairly cheap, between €5–€14. However, buses aren't super frequent and can be even more limited outside of summer. Coming from Málaga? You'll need to train it to Cádiz first (about 3 hours), then catch the same bus down to the coast. All doable, but if you want to avoid the faff, just hire a car. Where to stay, when to go You're not going to find anything super lux at El Palmar, but that's part of its appeal. If you want somewhere stylish but low-key, look at Nexo Surf House, it's got spacious, airy rooms, a restaurant and surf lessons all rolled into one. For something more rustic, the glamping options at Kampaoh are worth a look. Here you'll find safari-style tents with proper beds and private bathrooms, all a short walk from the beach. There are also plenty of local Airbnbs scattered along the coast, many within walking distance to the beach. Some are simple studios, others are bigger houses that are ideal for groups or families. Wherever you stay, you're never far from the sea - and that's the whole point. In the busier summer months of July and August, however, be sure to book well in advance as rooms do get booked up fast by locals. Even then, it's mostly Spanish families, not hordes of tourists. The beach is big enough that it never feels rammed. It's not built for mass tourism, and that's why it's so good. If you want a quieter vibe, I'd opt to go in June or September. The weather's still hot, the sea's warm, and there's lots of space. Flights to Seville from the UK start from around £25 return if you book early enough. If you want a break that's off the beaten track, full of charm, and free from the usual Brit holiday clichés, this is the place to go.
