Spain and Portugal experienced a massive and sudden power blackout on Monday, April 28, 2025, plunging millions into darkness and severely disrupting daily life across both countries.

The blackout, which began around mid-morning local time, caused widespread paralysis of public transportation systems, massive traffic jams in major cities, and significant delays at airports. Trains were halted mid-route, traffic lights failed across key intersections, and metro services in Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona were temporarily suspended, leading to chaotic scenes during peak hours.

At Madrid-Barajas Airport, several flights were delayed as airport systems faltered. Check-in counters went offline and security screening was slowed due to lack of power. Airlines scrambled to rebook passengers and advised travelers to check their flight status frequently.

The impact also rippled into the world of sports. At the prestigious Madrid Open tennis tournament, play was abruptly suspended when the stadium’s scoreboards went dark and overhead cameras lost power. Players, including international stars scheduled for the afternoon matches, were forced off court as organizers worked to restore electricity to the venue.

Spanish utility company Red Eléctrica and Portuguese operator REN issued statements confirming a “major disruption” on the Iberian high-voltage network but did not immediately identify the cause. Emergency generators kicked in at hospitals, government offices, and some transportation hubs, but power restoration was expected to take several hours.

Authorities in both countries launched immediate investigations. While sabotage or cyberattack have not been ruled out, preliminary assessments pointed toward a technical failure possibly linked to a cross-border transmission fault. The Spanish Interior Ministry reported no indications of terrorism as of Monday afternoon but remained on high alert.

Officials urged residents to stay indoors where possible and limit unnecessary travel. Meanwhile, energy experts warned that restoring full functionality to the grid could take much of the day, if not longer, depending on the extent of the disruption.

The blackout has reignited debates across Spain and Portugal about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the urgent need for modernization and cybersecurity improvements in national power grids.

By Monday evening, partial service had been restored in some cities, but millions across both nations remained affected. Governments have promised full updates and a public inquiry into the blackout’s causes once stability is restored.

The Madrid Open organizers announced that matches would resume once conditions allowed, but the tournament’s schedule could face further delays if power restoration efforts falter overnight.