AssetID: 54700569
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Spain and Portugal Struggle to Restore Power After Widespread Outage
Caption: Spain and Portugal Struggle to Restore Power After Widespread Outage. A massive power outage hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, leaving millions without electricity on Monday, with widespread disruption reported across the regions.The cause of the outage is linked to a power connection issue between France and Spain, according to Kristian Ruby, head of Eurelectric, though other factors may have contributed. Trains were cancelled and stranded, while traffic lights failed, causing severe delays at airports, as commuters and residents were caught in chaotic situations. Spain’s electricity grid began the restoration process by mid-afternoon, with 50% of power restored by the evening, while Portugal’s REN provider restored power to 750,000 customers. The blackout led to people being stuck in elevators, with 286 incidents reported in Madrid as emergency workers rushed to free those trapped inside. Residents in Madrid were warned to stay off the roads as traffic gridlocked and panic spread, while mobile phones also stopped working, leaving many without information. Cash machines and petrol stations were affected by the outage, and businesses were forced to close or use backup generators, such as some Ikea stores in Spain. Hospitals in Spain implemented emergency plans, halting routine work as they faced difficulties due to the lack of power, with some flights also canceled, including 96 from Portugal and 45 from Spain. European leaders have ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack, with Portuguese and Spanish authorities continuing their investigation into the cause of the power failure. The full restoration of power took several hours, with some regions of Spain reporting continued blackouts and disruption at local businesses. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,power outage,Spain,Portugal,France,power restoration,electricity grid,blackout,train cancellations,Madrid,Lisbon,European Council,cyberattack,emergency plans,Madrid Open Tennis,hospital plans,power failure,infrastructure,European energy,transport disruption,business impact,public services,emergency response,international incidents
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