A sudden, massive power outage swept across Spain and Portugal, freezing daily life in two of Europe’s busiest countries. Traffic lights went dead, flights were delayed, hospitals switched to emergency power, and people were trapped in elevators and metro cars. Emergency cabinet meetings were called, with officials initially unable to rule out a cyberattack.
Madrid and Lisbon struggled to cope as citizens rushed for emergency supplies. Data centers, banking services, and oil refineries were hit hard. Though partial restorations began by evening, millions faced long hours without power. Authorities are still investigating the cause, while recovery efforts continue across the Iberian Peninsula.
This rare blackout has reignited concerns about the fragility of Europe’s critical infrastructure — and the urgent need for stronger resilience planning.
