Massive Power and Internet Outages Hit Spain, Portugal, and France: Investigations Underway
Date: April 28, 2025
Author: Follwork Teams
Category: European News
Overview
On April 28, 2025, a significant power outage disrupted daily life across Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France. The blackout, which began around 12:33 p.m. CEST, led to widespread disruptions in transportation, communication, and essential services. Authorities are investigating the causes, with initial reports suggesting a rare atmospheric phenomenon as a potential trigger.
Impact Across the Iberian Peninsula
The outage caused immediate and severe disruptions:
- Transportation: Metro services in major cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona were halted. Train services were suspended, and traffic lights failed, leading to significant congestion.
- Communication: Mobile networks and internet services experienced outages, affecting both personal and business communications.
- Essential Services: Hospitals operated on backup generators, and emergency services were stretched thin. Retail outlets faced challenges with electronic payment systems, leading to a temporary return to cash transactions.
In Portugal, approximately 96% of substations were back online by late evening, while Spain had restored about 50% of its power supply. The restoration process was aided by neighboring countries, including France and Morocco.
Investigating the Causes
Initial investigations suggest that the blackout may have been triggered by a rare atmospheric phenomenon causing significant oscillations in the electrical grid. Spain's grid operator, Red Eléctrica, described the event as "absolutely exceptional and extraordinary."
Portuguese authorities considered the possibility of a fire in southern France damaging a high-voltage power line as a contributing factor. However, France's Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) reported no such incidents in the area.
While some officials initially speculated about a potential cyberattack, cybersecurity agencies in both Spain and Portugal have found no evidence supporting this theory.
France's Internet Infrastructure Under Attack
Concurrently, France experienced significant disruptions to its internet and mobile networks due to deliberate vandalism of fiber optic cables. Unknown individuals targeted multiple sites near Paris, cutting crucial long-distance internet cables and affecting services provided by major operators such as Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues.
The attacks were sophisticated, involving precise cuts to the cables, indicating a high level of expertise. French authorities are investigating the incidents, but no group has claimed responsibility thus far.
Government Response and Public Reaction
In response to the crises, both Spain and Portugal convened emergency meetings to coordinate restoration efforts. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Portugal's Prime Minister LuÃs Montenegro assured the public of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy.
Despite the challenges, communities showed resilience. In some areas, residents gathered in public spaces, supporting each other and sharing resources during the outages.
Embedded Video: Commuter Chaos During the Blackout
The following video captures the immediate impact of the power outage on commuters in Spain and Portugal:
Conclusion
The events of April 28, 2025, highlight the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure across Europe. As investigations continue, authorities aim to implement measures to prevent such widespread disruptions in the future. The incidents underscore the importance of robust infrastructure and rapid response mechanisms to safeguard against both natural and human-made threats.
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