What Is Happening in Europe? Massive Power Outages!

Life came to a standstill across most of Spain and Portugal, and parts of France, after widespread power outages hit all three countries simultaneously. Public transportation systems were paralyzed, trains were evacuated, airport operations were suspended, traffic lights failed, and shops, supermarkets, and restaurants were plunged into darkness. Long lines formed at gas stations, and tunnels were closed.

In Spain, train passengers were left stranded in remote areas due to the blackout.

The exact cause of the outage and how long it might last remain unclear. However, REN, the company managing Portugal’s electricity grid, stated that the problem originated from an issue in Spain’s electricity network.

The relationship between Spain’s grid and the power cuts in Portugal is still not fully understood. REN suggested that the problem was caused by a "rare atmospheric phenomenon."

Authorities pointed to abnormal oscillations in Spain’s ultra-high voltage transmission lines (400 kV), likely triggered by extreme temperature fluctuations in the country's interior regions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the cause is not yet fully determined and called for restraint, urging the public to avoid speculation.

Statements from the European Commission and Portugal’s Prime Minister’s office indicated that there is no evidence yet suggesting the outages were the result of a cyberattack.

In addition to internet disruptions, outages were also reported in mobile networks across Spain.

AENA, the operator of Spain’s 46 airports, reported flight delays nationwide.

According to Reuters, hundreds of people in Madrid were seen outside office buildings, and there was a significant police presence around key facilities in the city.

Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida urged residents to stay wherever they were.

Meanwhile in Portugal, airline TAP Air Portugal advised passengers not to travel to airports.

ANA, Portugal’s airport operator, activated emergency generators, allowing basic operations to continue at Porto and Faro airports.

The blackout was not limited to Spain and Portugal. Some regions in France also experienced brief outages, but French grid operator RTE announced that the situation there had returned to normal.

The widespread outages, especially in Spain and Portugal, have raised numerous questions:What is happening?Is there more behind these outages than meets the eye? Could this have been a covert test?

Source: Euronews Türkçe Photo: Reuters/Getty Images/EPA