4 Confirmed Dead in Spain-Portugal Blackout

At least four people have died following a large-scale power outage that struck Spain and Portugal this week, leaving millions without electricity for nearly a full day. The deaths include a family of three in Taboadela, Galicia, and a woman in Madrid, as authorities confirm the human toll of the blackout.

Local police in Galicia say the family — a couple and their son — may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, likely due to a malfunctioning generator or fuel-burning appliance used during the outage. In Madrid, a woman died in a fire reportedly sparked by a candle in her apartment during the blackout.

Power Slowly Returns but Questions Remain

Electricity has since been restored across most affected areas in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said more than 95% of the country’s power supply was back by early Tuesday. In Portugal, energy supplier REN confirmed its entire grid was fully operational, while French operators also reported normal service resuming in the Basque region.

However, the exact cause of the blackout remains unclear. Spanish authorities, along with European energy experts, are still investigating. Early statements from Red Eléctrica, Spain’s national power company, suggest there is no indication of a cyberattack, but officials admit no definitive conclusions have been made.

Emergency Meetings and Ongoing Probe

Sánchez has held emergency meetings with energy companies and grid operators, urging collaboration between government agencies and private firms to prevent future incidents. Spain’s National Security Council is also involved in the investigation.

He emphasized the need for urgent upgrades in the country’s power infrastructure, saying Spain must “guarantee supply and future competitiveness.”

A technical committee from the European Commission has joined the probe, though authorities warn a full report could take weeks.

What Happened During the Outage

The blackout hit on Monday and lasted up to 18 hours in some areas. It caused major disruptions: traffic lights failed, trains stopped running, shops shut down, and digital payments became impossible. Long queues formed at ATMs and grocery stores as card machines went offline.

While power has returned for now, many residents are left asking how such a widespread failure happened — and what’s being done to stop it from happening again.

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