On April 28, 2025, Spain declared a state of emergency after a widespread power outage left nearly the entire Iberian Peninsula in the dark. The unexpected blackout disrupted daily life for millions—trains halted, flights grounded, and communication networks went offline across Spain and Portugal.
The outage struck around 12:30 PM local time, causing Spain’s power grid to plummet from 26GW to 12GW. Major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto were severely impacted. Hospitals operated on backup generators, and emergency services responded to numerous calls. An estimated 35,000 train passengers were stranded, while thousands were trapped in elevators and train compartments.
Authorities have ruled out cyberattacks. Instead, the event was linked to a rare atmospheric disturbance known as induced atmospheric vibration, triggered by extreme temperature changes. This disrupted high-voltage lines and caused a breakdown in the synchronized European power grid.
In response, more than 30,000 police personnel were mobilized. Level 3 emergencies were declared in eight Spanish regions, shifting control to the central government. By the following morning, 90% of power had been restored in Spain, and 6.2 million out of 6.5 million households in Portugal had electricity back.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to avoid speculation, stating that both natural and technical causes are under active investigation. While stabilization efforts continue, experts warn that full normalization may take several days.