A massive blackout hit Spain, Portugal, and southern France on Monday, causing disruptions to transportation, communications, and essential services.
Authorities say the blackouts were caused by “atmospheric conditions” that affected certain voltage lines.Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images
Grounded subways, canceled flights, stores, hospitals, and offices completely in the dark: This is the situation following the vast blackout that hit Spain, Portugal, and some regions of southern France.
The power grid was sent down around noon local time on Monday, simultaneously blocking all public services in major Spanish cities. The restoration of the power supply is currently underway, with officials citing a rare atmospheric phenomenon as the cause.
Portuguese officials told national media that the blackout affected the entire territory. Reports of power outages have also come from citizens in Andorra and areas of France bordering Spain. The Spanish government met in Madrid to monitor the situation, while citizens did their best to adjust to a world without electricity. Below are glimpses of affected regions in the early hours of the outage.
-
Photo: Miguel Riopa/Getty Images
Buildings completely in the dark
A man and a child walk through a local market during the major blackout that hit Vigo, northwest Spain, on Monday.
-
Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images
Blocked subways throughout Spain
A metro station went dark in Madrid during the vast blackout that hit Spain and Portugal.
-
Photo: Sandra Montanez/Getty Images
Shopkeepers carrying on
Customers at the market without electricity during the national blackout.
-
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Sports fans in the dark
Tennis fans navigate the aisles during the general blackout at a tennis tournament in Madrid.
-
Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images
Offices and stores shuttered
Without power, major shopping destinations closed their doors.
-
Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images
Restaurants closed for business
Diners were left to fend for themselves during the blackout.
-
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Phone flashlights light the way
People use their phone flashlights to walk the halls in the dark during a general blackout.
-
Photo: Adri Salido/Getty Images
The Lisbon subway in the dark
A man with a flashlight shines light as a subway station lies in darkness due to a blackout.
-
Photo: Ander Gillenea/Getty Images
Disruptions reach the south of France
A café without lights in Toulouse during the blackout.
-
Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
ATMs out of service
A customer faces a non-functioning ATM due to blackout in Lisbon.
-
Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
A traffic light turned off in Lisbon
Public transport, traffic lights, and telephone services went out of service in some areas of Madrid.
-
Photo: Javier Soriano/Getty Images
Trains stopped in the middle of nowhere
Passengers stand next to a Renfe Ave high-speed train stopped near Cordoba during Monday’s blackout.
-
Photo: Cesar Manso/Getty Images
Supermarkets completely in the dark
Employees stand inside a supermarket without lights in Burgos, northern Spain.
-
Photo: Cesar Manso/Getty Images
Gyms without power
A closed gym, also in Burgos.
-
Cesar Manso/Getty Images
Stores work to stay open
A sporting goods store clerk works with a light on her head in Burgos.
-
Photo: Cristina Quicler/Getty Images
A health facility in the dark
Health care employees and patients made do with no power for hours.
This story originally appeared on WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.
