A massive blackout on Monday, April 28, brought daily life across Spain and Portugal to a sudden halt, affecting millions of residents and critical infrastructure across the Iberian Peninsula. The outage, described as “exceptional and extraordinary,” disrupted essential services, transportation, communications, and public safety in both countries. Here’s a look at the major areas impacted by the widespread power failure.
1 / 8Transportation Systems | According to the Associated Press (AP), subway trains in Spain and Portugal halted operations, with metro stations in Madrid and Barcelona evacuated. Train services across both countries ground to a stop. Spanish airports, including those in Madrid and Barcelona, operated on backup power, causing flight delays. In Lisbon, airport terminals were closed, leaving passengers stranded. Traffic signals and electronic road signage failed, leading to severe congestion. Portuguese police deployed additional officers to manually direct traffic and manage the increased burden. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 8Telecommunications | The blackout severely disrupted phone services, making it impossible to place calls on some mobile networks, although limited internet services through mobile apps were still accessible in certain areas. Citizens scrambled to find zones with stable mobile coverage or working internet access. (Image: Reuters)
3 / 8Public Services and Government Operations | Government functions were interrupted, with the Spanish Parliament in Madrid forced to close, the AP reported. Emergency meetings were convened by the governments of Spain and Portugal. Portuguese courts suspended operations due to the outage. Emergency services relied on backup power to maintain essential public safety and healthcare operations. (Image: AP)
4 / 8Retail and Daily Life | Shops, offices, and commercial centers closed as power outages darkened cities. In Terrassa, according to AP, stores selling generators were quickly emptied by residents preparing for an extended blackout. Gas stations in Portugal also shut down, causing interruptions in fuel supply. (Image: Reuters)
5 / 8Banking and Payment Systems | ATM machines and electronic payment terminals across Spain and Portugal ceased functioning, affecting banking services and retail transactions, and creating additional challenges for both businesses and individuals. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 8Healthcare Services | Hospitals and emergency facilities in Portugal activated backup generators to maintain critical healthcare services. Emergency systems prioritised ensuring continuous care and responding to increased incidents, such as individuals trapped in elevators. (Image: AP)
7 / 8Events and Sports | The Madrid Open tennis tournament was suspended during ongoing matches, as the facilities lost power mid-event, forcing players and spectators to leave. (Image: AP)
8 / 8Public Safety Concerns | With the loss of electricity, people were trapped in elevators, leading to a surge in emergency rescue requests. Streets were packed with people navigating without functioning traffic lights, and police and emergency units were under significant strain to maintain public safety. (Image: Reuters)
