Major Blackout Disrupts Spain, Portugal Subways, Traffic, ATMs

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A widespread power outage has paralyzed much of Spain and Portugal, halting critical infrastructure. The blackout disrupted subway networks, traffic signals, and ATMs across both nations. Millions of residents faced chaos as daily operations ground to a halt.

Subways in major cities like Madrid and Lisbon stopped running entirely. Commuters were stranded, with some evacuated from stalled underground trains.

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The Context

Traffic signals failed, causing gridlock in urban centers across the Iberian Peninsula. Police were deployed to manually direct vehicles at key intersections.

ATMs went offline, preventing residents from accessing cash for essential purchases. Long queues formed at the few operational cash points still functioning.

The outage affected businesses, with shops and restaurants unable to process electronic payments. Many establishments closed temporarily, exacerbating economic disruptions.

Public transport systems, including trains, were suspended, leaving travelers stranded. Airports reported delays as backup systems struggled to manage operations.

Hospitals switched to backup generators to maintain critical services. Emergency response teams urged residents to limit non-essential calls to avoid overloading lines.

The blackout highlighted the reliance on interconnected European power grids. Authorities are working to restore electricity but have not specified a timeline.