Massive blackout in Spain and Portugal: millions without electricity, communication, and bank cards

Massive blackout in Spain and Portugal paralyzes cities and leaves millions without communication

Madrid / Lisbon.

An unprecedented power outage has struck the Iberian Peninsula, plunging tens of millions of residents in Spain and Portugal into darkness. The sudden energy collapse caught entire cities off guard: hospitals and transportation hubs stopped operating, bank cards turned into useless plastic, and traffic descended into chaos due to darkened traffic lights.

Residents of the megacities of Madrid and Lisbon faced an acute shortage of essential goods. Refrigeration systems in pharmacies failed, jeopardizing the preservation of vital medicines and vaccines. Pharmacists anxiously calculate the enormous losses from spoiled medications.

"Our electricity went out. Refrigerators aren't working, medication dispensing robots have stopped. We're trying to sell what's left, but we've suffered serious losses," said an employee at one of Madrid's pharmacies.

Dramatic scenes are unfolding on the streets: those with cash are hurriedly sweeping products and drinking water off the shelves. By noon, many supermarkets were empty. Gas stations and laundromats have come to a standstill, and mobile communication has become unavailable for most of the population.

"Chaos reigns in the streets. There's no bread, almost no water left. We're buying everything we can still manage to get," shared one of the residents.

The authorities of both countries have convened emergency meetings and deployed crisis response teams. The exact causes of the catastrophic power outage remain a mystery. Experts are suggesting theories about serious damage to high-voltage lines in France or a systemic failure in the pan-European energy network.

The situation continues to intensify: the population is preparing for a possible prolonged energy crisis in the coming hours.