In pictures: Millions plunged into darkness as entire countries suffer blackout
An unprecedented blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill Monday, stopping trains, cutting phone service and shutting down traffic lights and ATMs for millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula.
Electricity was being pulled from Morocco and France to restore power to southern and northern Spain, Spain's prime minister said, thanking their governments.
Spain was also increasing the production from hydroelectric and combined cycle thermal power plants.
Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica declined to speculate on the cause of the power outage that began around 12:30 p.m. Madrid time and said restoring power fully could take six to 10 hours.
Head of operations Eduardo Prieto told journalists it was unprecedented.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said a "strong oscillation" in the European grid was behind the outage but the cause was still being determined.
He asked the public to refrain from speculation, and urged people to call emergency services only if really necessary.
Traffic lights stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025.
It was the second serious European power outage in less than six weeks after a March 20 fire shut down Heathrow Airport in the U.K.
People fail to board a crowded bus after the subway stopped running following a power outage in Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025.
The outage began after midday. Offices closed and traffic was snarled in major cities. In Barcelona civilians directed traffic. Train services in both countries stopped, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.
It wouldn't be possible to restart trains later Monday even if the power returned, Spain's Transportation Minister Oscar Puente posted on social media.
Motorists drive past traffic lights that stopped working following a power outage in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, Monday, April 28, 2025.
Spectators roam inside the Madrid Open tennis tournament venue during a general blackout.
Spectators roam inside the Madrid Open tennis tournament venue.
The Madrid Open tennis tournament venue is empty during a general blackout.
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