Canary Islands on 'state of alert' amid essential supply worries during Spain-Portugal power cut
A state of alert has been issued in a holiday hotspot popular with Brits over worries about essential supplies as Spain and Portugal deal with a huge power cut.
Government officials in the Canary Islands activated the alert in case the Spanish electricity emergency affects basic supplies to the popular destination. They say a "special mechanism is in place to permanently monitor and evaluate the evolution of this situation." In a statement issued today, Government officials said: "The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has declared a sitaution of alert due to the great blackout affecting mainland Spain, in application of the Territorial Emergency Plan of Civil Protection of the Autonomous Community (PLATECA), as established by Decree 95/2015 of May 22.
"This declaration is made due to the risk of affecting basic supplies throughout the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The main objective of activating the PLATECA in a situation of alert is to guarantee constant and effective monitoring in the event of possible interruptions or incidents in essential services for the population.
"A special device is active to permanently monitor and evaluate the evolution of this situation, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response in the event that such effects materialise."
In the face of the energy blackout that has blanketed much of the Iberian peninsula, the Government is asking citizens for "tranquility". The Canary Islands have escaped the huge impact of the outage due to the islands' electricity system being independent of the continent and not interconnected.
However, shops did report problems with payment machines and government officials appealed to people to limit the use of their mobile phones. Millions of people across Spain and Portugal were plunged into darkness in the huge power cut, with haircuts half finished and people doing their grocery shopping using the torches on their mobile phones.
The power cut also sparked widespread travel disruption, leaving train passenger stranded. The unprecedented blackout hit the area on Monday at around 12.30pm local time, leaving huge portions of the population facing a night with no electricity or essential power. Emergency services and rail workers in Spain had to help evacuate around 35,000 people from over 100 trains that stopped on the tracks when the electricity was cut. By 11pm passengers from 11 trains still needed evacuating, Prime Minister Sánchez said. Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica's head of operations Eduardo Prieto said the event was 'exceptional and extraordinary.'
The national grid operator of Portugal confirmed that 6.2 million out of 6.5 million households now have power back again. Meanwhile, electricity has returned to households in Spain, as authorities try to find the exact cause of the power cut.
Authorities are still trying to determine the sudden crash of the power grid which left millions of people without phone and internet coverage, and access from cash machines across the Iberian Peninsula. Eduardo Prieto, head of operation services at Spain's power company REE, said at a news conference today confirmed were two 'disconnection events', just seconds apart, before the blackout. He added that 'nothing leads us to believe that it could have been human error'.
Although officials have dismissed any malicious intent, including a cyberattack, the ordeal has been no less exasperating for Brits eager to bask in the holiday sun. In the Algarve, Nicola Boswell expressed her dismay on TikTok during a 5pm visit to an Aldi store, where she found the shelves nearly empty amidst the turmoil.
"This is the situation in Aldi - there's queues bigger than Alton Towers in peak season," she exclaimed, showing her followers the long lines of customers. "There's nothing left to buy. Everything has completely sold out."
While there were some remnants of fresh produce, the store was largely picked clean. Nicola added: "This is unbelievable. The toilet roll is pretty [much gone], that's always the first to go. Look at the queues - they are right the way up the aisles."
Meanwhile, in Spain, another Briton confessed he had "never seen queues like it", sharing footage from his location in Benidorm. Nigel Pope labelled the situation a "disaster in the making", revealing that shops were only allowing a few customers in at a time to prevent panic.
"Everybody is buying water and supplies because the electricity could be out be out for days," he said. "It's a real disaster, we don't really know what is going on. I would normally use the lift but I've had to walk up and down the stairs to get my supplies. It's becoming a bit of a disaster zone."
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Wales Online
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Theme park that's better than Disney only 3.5 hours from the UK
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He recently visited the attraction to discover for himself whether it justified its stellar reputation, reports the Express. Article continues below He explained: "My family and I spent three nights at Efteling, travelling from the East Midlands. Our hotel room included park passes for four days. It cost £1,200 in total, but considering park tickets cost around £180 a day for a family of four, I think that represents good value." Sam had previously visited the attraction the year before but only stayed one night, which felt insufficient. Additionally, the park had recently launched a new attraction he was keen to experience. He explained: "We felt that three nights was just about enough this time around, but still very nearly missed an entire section of the park because it wasn't where all of the main rides were." At first, Sam intended to count how many rides they went on , but this notion was swiftly discarded. He explained: "The theme park operates from 10am until 10pm and the queues rarely go above 30 minutes, so you're going to be quite busy, particularly late in the evening. "Also the virtual queuing on two rides, and the app advising you how long queues are, mean you can plan your day to spend as little time as possible queueing. "When you've got younger kids, or kids with additional needs, that's a lifesaver." Efteling is a family-orientated theme park and last year Sam's eight year old managed to experience all the attractions, including the Baron, a vertical drop coaster similar to Oblivion at Alton Towers but with superior theming. This means that around 7pm, many guests begin making their way towards the exit and the queues for the larger thrill rides and the darker new attraction, Danse Macabre, only take 10 to 15 minutes. Those attractions? They're absolutely brilliant. One of the rides at Efteling (Image: Sam Dimmer) Sam remarked: "Yes, it's a family park, with brilliant playgrounds, a fantasy forest, incredible theming and based around fantastic stories. But my oh my, the rides are good. The aforementioned Baron, wooden race coasters Joris and the Dragon and water coaster the Flying Dutchman are tremendous fun, but the best ride is the newest - Danse Macabre." Danse Macabre proved to be Sam's favourite - in fact, he and his family experienced it seven times. He said: "Yes, it broke down on the last day and the queues were long, but this is a special ride. Guests sit in rows of church pews, before the whole room goes dark. Then you're spun around the room, like you're dancing, watching an orchestra of ghosts and ghouls went on it seven times and each time we saw something new. Every time people applauded when the ride ended. It's that good. It's beautifully put together, exceptionally clever, and so fun." 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Nevertheless, it's crucial to reserve these establishments beforehand as they tend to become extremely crowded. Allow yourself plenty of time to discover Efteling isn't a massive park but you will definitely miss something if you're not vigilant. Sam said: "We only spotted the huge playground because I saw a post on the incredibly helpful Efteling Fans UK Group and decided to go on the monorail at 9.30pm. A gorgeous fairy tale sculpture at Efteling (Image: undefined) "We also spotted the Efteling museum and a great self-serve restaurant in the area that we returned to the next day. This was on day three of four in the park, and we weren't planning on doing as much on our final day, but decided to stick around because we kept spotting new things to do." For those who favour a more relaxed tempo or for the little ones not quite prepared for high-speed thrills, the Fairytale Forest provides a charming sanctuary. This captivating area boasts a series of spectacular displays, some motionless and others animated, presenting visitors to a host of peculiar characters, such as Long Neck, a man with an extraordinarily stretched neck. Efteling is genuinely enchanting Sam was thoroughly impressed with the park, saying: "The thing about Efteling is it doesn't feel like a place designed to suck money out of you. It feels like they genuinely care about you having a great time. The staff, for example, are unbelievable. I clumsily asked one in Dutch if he spoke English and he looked at me and told me he spoke five languages and was learning a sixth. "It's clean, the music is wonderful and it smells so good they actually sell Efteling scents in the gift shop. My wife's salon now smells very much like Efteling. I love Alton Towers, but I don't think I'd particularly want to bottle the smell of a day out in Staffordshire." Anton Pieck, an artist and illustrator, was one of the founders of Efteling and his work continues to inspire the park today. His influence is still felt, making visitors feel as though they are truly walking through a fairytale. Efteling theme park (Image: Sam Dimmer) It's worth considering an overnight stay Not many theme parks necessitate an overnight stay, as usually a day is sufficient. Alton Towers in the UK might be an exception, but at Efteling, three nights didn't seem excessive. Sam's hotel was a picturesque ten-minute stroll from the park entrance, passing lakes, playgrounds and a fairytale castle. He said the rooms were "ideal", offering ample space for a family of four, with comfortable beds, a large bath and a powerful shower. There's even a swimming pool, perfect for younger kids. Be prepared for a good deal o f walking This won't come as a surprise to seasoned theme-park visitors, but you will certainly clock up the steps. Article continues below Sam said: "There's a beautiful little steam train that takes you around the park, but we didn't use it as the park itself isn't huge. "It's a decision I regretted at the end of day four as we prepared to drive to Calais, although a decent pair of trainers helped me just about get through. We were averaging between 25,000-30,000 steps a day, which is a good old shift, but we were going from 10am to 10pm. "We're a family who enjoys being active, but for those who find walking challenging, this might not be as enjoyable. However, there are measures you can take to make it easier, and we do enjoy a good walk."
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Firefighters and civilians have been taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation since the situation worsened on Tuesday, and extensive damage has been reported to homes and businesses throughout Greece. So if you've got a trip booked over the coming weeks, caution is advised. Not only could this extreme weather impact your plans — it could potentially put your safety at risk. As of August 13, the UK Foreign Office has not issued any 'do not travel' noticed for Greece, but highlights safety advice due to a 'high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.' The FCDO website warns that Greece is prone to extreme natural phenomena, including earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods. 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13 minutes ago
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Three-day magical theme park visit rivals Disneyland
It might be a two hour flight away, and a five and a half hour drive, but a growing number of Brits believe Efteling is well worth the journey. Most Brits have a love-hate relationship with theme parks, often finding themselves grumbling about the long queues, exorbitant prices, and less-than-stellar food. We've all been there, shelling out a small fortune for a day of standing in line, only to enjoy a few fleeting moments of rollercoaster excitement, while simultaneously trying to keep pesky wasps away from our overpriced fast food. But fear not, there's an alternative. If you're up for a bit of a journey, you can find yourself at Efteling, located near Tilburg in the Netherlands, in just three and a half hours from Calais. You might be thinking, is it really worth the extra effort and cost? Well, an increasing number of Brits certainly think so - including Nottinghamshire Live executive editor Sam Dimmer. Sam recently embarked on a trip to the park to see if it lived up to its growing reputation, reports the Express. He shared: "My family and I spent three nights at Efteling, travelling from the East Midlands. Our hotel room included park passes for four days. It cost £1,200 in total, but considering park tickets cost around £180 a day for a family of four, I think that represents good value." Sam had previously visited the park but only stayed one night, which he felt wasn't enough. Plus, the park had recently unveiled a new ride he was eager to try. He added: "We felt that three nights was just about enough this time around, but still very nearly missed an entire section of the park because it wasn't where all of the main rides were." Initially, Sam planned to keep track of how many rides we went on, but that idea was quickly abandoned. He said: "The theme park is open from 10am until 10pm and the queues rarely go above 30 minutes, so you're going to be quite busy, particularly late in the evening. "Also the virtual queuing on two rides, and the app advising you how long queues are, mean you can plan your day to spend as little time as possible queueing. "When you've got younger kids, or kids with additional needs, that's a lifesaver." Efteling is a family-friendly theme park and last year Sam's eight year old was able to go on all the rides, including the Baron, a vertical drop coaster similar to Oblivion at Alton Towers but with superior theming. This means that around 7pm, many visitors start heading for the exit and the queues for the bigger thrill rides and the darker new ride, Danse Macabre, only take 10 to 15 minutes. Those rides? They're absolutely brilliant. Sam said: "Yes, it's a family park, with brilliant playgrounds, a fantasy forest, incredible theming and based around fantastic stories. But my oh my, the rides are good. The aforementioned Baron, wooden race coasters Joris and the Dragon and water coaster the Flying Dutchman are tremendous fun, but the best ride is the newest - Danse Macabre." Danse Macabre was Sam's favourite - in fact, he and his family rode it seven times. He said: "Yes, it broke down on the last day and the queues were long, but this is a special ride. Guests sit in rows of church pews, before the whole room goes dark. Then you're spun around the room, like you're dancing, watching an orchestra of ghosts and ghouls went on it seven times and each time we saw something new. Every time people applauded when the ride ended. It's that good. It's beautifully put together, exceptionally clever, and so fun." The food is delicious Typically during Sam's theme park adventures he packs his own lunch to dodge the pricey and often disappointing food - but at Efteling there were no complaints about the cuisine. He said: "The park is famous for many things, and the food is definitely one of them. The chimney cakes, pastry cones filled with an assortment of fruit, cream, chocolate, candy floss etc etc are a delight, although I wouldn't recommend eating one before hitting a big ride, and you can also sample Dutch treats like poffertjes (little pancakes) and kibbeling (deep fried spiced fish with a delicious dip). "If anything the food is better than last year. Pinnokio's pizza and pasta restaurant was a hit with my family, as was the meal at Het Eethuys, a hotel on site. "My favourite though was Polles Keuken, a pancake restaurant that served huge sweet or savoury pancakes against a brilliant backdrop." Nevertheless, it's crucial to reserve these restaurants beforehand as they can become extremely packed. Allow yourself plenty of time to wander Efteling isn't a massive park but you'll definitely miss something if you're not paying attention. Sam said: "We only spotted the huge playground because I saw a post on the incredibly helpful Efteling Fans UK Group and decided to go on the monorail at 9.30pm. "We also spotted the Efteling museum and a great self-serve restaurant in the area that we returned to the next day. This was on day three of four in the park, and we weren't planning on doing as much on our final day, but decided to stick around because we kept spotting new things to do." For visitors who fancy a gentler experience or youngsters not quite prepared for breakneck thrills, the Fairytale Forest provides a charming escape. This magical zone boasts a collection of breathtaking exhibits, some motionless and others moving, presenting guests with an array of peculiar personalities, including Long Neck, a chap with an remarkably stretched neck. Efteling is enchanting Sam was thoroughly taken with the attraction, explaining: "The thing about Efteling is it doesn't feel like a place designed to suck money out of you. It feels like they genuinely care about you having a great time. The staff, for example, are unbelievable. I clumsily asked one in Dutch if he spoke English and he looked at me and told me he spoke five languages and was learning a sixth. "It's clean, the music is wonderful and it smells so good they actually sell Efteling scents in the gift shop. My wife's salon now smells very much like Efteling. I love Alton Towers, but I don't think I'd particularly want to bottle the smell of a day out in Staffordshire." Anton Pieck, an artist and illustrator, was one of the founders of Efteling and his work continues to inspire the park today. His influence is still felt, making visitors feel as though they are truly walking through a fairytale. It's worth considering an overnight stay. Not many theme parks necessitate an overnight stay, as usually a day is sufficient. Alton Towers in the UK might be an exception, but at Efteling, three nights didn't seem excessive. Sam's hotel was a picturesque ten-minute stroll from the park entrance, passing lakes, playgrounds and a fairytale castle. He said the rooms were "ideal", offering ample space for a family of four, with comfortable beds, a large bath and a powerful shower. There's even a swimming pool, perfect for younger kids. Be prepared for a good deal of walking This won't come as a surprise to seasoned theme-park visitors, but you will certainly clock up the steps. Sam said: "There's a beautiful little steam train that takes you around the park, but we didn't use it as the park itself isn't huge. "It's a decision I regretted at the end of day four as we prepared to drive to Calais, although a decent pair of trainers helped me just about get through. We were averaging between 25,000-30,000 steps a day, which is a good old shift, but we were going from 10am to 10pm. "We're a family who enjoys being active, but for those who find walking challenging, this might not be as enjoyable. However, there are measures you can take to make it easier, and we do enjoy a good walk."
