MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Fans walk through the dark gangways during a general power blackout during Day Seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on April 28, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. A widespread power outage hit Spain, Portugal and parts of France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

News Photo Story

Photo story : Spain and Portugal hit by massive power blackout

Share

Spain and Portugal experienced a major power outage that disrupted public transport, caused heavy traffic congestion, and delayed numerous flights. Utility operators worked urgently to restore the electricity supply.

Authorities were still investigating the cause of the blackout more than an hour after it began, and while no official explanation had been provided, they had not ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack, officials said.

“All plans for the phased restoration of energy supply are being activated, in coordination with European energy producers and operators,” a spokesperson from Portugal’s grid Operator REN said.

Portuguese police said traffic lights were affected across the country, the metro was closed in Lisbon and Porto, and trains were not running.

Lisbon’s subway transport operator, Metropolitano de Lisboa, said the subway was at a standstill with people still inside the trains.

A man with a torch leads the way as a subway station lies in darkness during a power outage  in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Adri Salido/Getty Images)

Play at the Madrid Open tennis tournament was suspended, forcing 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov and British opponent Jacob Fearnley off the court as scoreboards went dark and overhead cameras lost power.

People use their phone torch to walk through the dark gangways during a general power blackout during Day Seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Woman listens to the radio as a blackout hits Spain and Portugal EPA-EFE/BIANCA MILLEZ

Hundreds of people stood outside office buildings on Madrid’s streets, and there was a heavy police presence around key buildings, directing traffic as well as driving along central atriums with lights, according to a Reuters witness.

Traffic jam in a street in downtown Madrid as traffic lights are switched off. EPA-EFE/BIANCA MILLEZ

During the blackout, people were forced to go about their daily routines without electricity, navigating in the dark.

A person shops at a supermarket using the torch of a cellphone in Tremp, Spain.(Photo by Javier Mostacero Carrera/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 28: A bar owner holds up an analogue radio transmitting news about a nationwide power outage. Photo by Sandra Montanez/Getty Images)