Iberian blackout crisis: Millions without power, cyberattack suspected
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened a crisis meeting at the Spanish Energy Network Control Center due to a massive power outage that impacted millions of citizens across Spain (excluding the islands) and Portugal. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that a cyberattack could be the cause of the power failure.
The largest power outage in recent Spanish history affected millions of citizens throughout the country (except for the islands) and Portugal. The outage has disrupted infrastructure, mobile communications, roads (due to widespread traffic light failures), and railway stations, airports, companies, and buildings; hundreds of incidents involving elevators have been reported. Hospitals have not yet felt the impact of the outage as they are using generators, reports elpais.com.
The scale of the outage, which surprised residents of Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, prompted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to convene a crisis meeting at the Spanish Energy Network Control Center.
Authorities do not rule out a cyberattack
There is still no official explanation for the power outages, although no option has been ruled out, including the possibility of a cyberattack. Authorities in Spain and Portugal are investigating the power outages with various technical teams' assistance, but there is still no official explanation of what happened.
Due to widespread power outages across the peninsula, the General Directorate of Traffic urges the public to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary due to the risk of accidents. "The lack of power prevents traffic lights and signals from operating," it was stated in a communiqué. In some areas, police officers are directing traffic.
The blackout paralyzed life in Spain and Portugal
The outage completely paralyzed life in large cities—the metro is not working, and high-speed rail and airports are affected. Many people were stuck in elevators and needed to be freed. Shopping malls, museums, and public buildings were also evacuated.
Restaurants, cafés, and many shops are closed. ATMs cannot be used, and giant traffic jams are forming in cities.
It is not yet known when power will be fully restored. According to Red Electrica, the Spanish transmission network operator, it may take from 6 to 10 hours.
"The cause of the extensive power grid failure in Spain is still unknown, but it is the most serious situation of this kind in the country's history," the network operator Red Electrica stated on Monday.
