Metros Stopped, Airports Standstill, Chaos On Streets: Millions Affected As Massive Power Outage Hits Europe | Videos

Last Updated:April 28, 2025, 20:52 IST

Europe Power Outage: The power outage affected road, rail and air traffic, out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines, causing chaos in the region.

A dark metro station in Madrid. Passengers filtered out of stations after the outage stopped trains. (CNN)

Europe Power Outage: A widespread power outage knocked out electricity in major parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, shutting off traffic lights and causing chaos at airports, train stations and on the roads.

The power outage affected road, rail and air traffic, out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines, causing chaos in the region.

In Portugal, the outage hit the capital, Lisbon, and surrounding areas, as well as northern and southern parts of the country. Portugal’s grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) said electrical supply was lost across the entire Iberian peninsula, and in parts of France, reported CNN. It could be several hours until power is fully restored, Spain’s grid operator said, meaning parts of the two countries could be plunged into darkness once the sun sets.

Several dramatic videos on the social media platforms showed how Spain and Portugal have plunged into chaos after the outage.

Barajas Airport in Madrid remains without power while the Valencia metro suspended all services. Metrovalencia, which encompasses both metro and tram services in Valencia, said there was disruption due to a “general power outage". It added, “The extent and duration of the outage are unknown."

Spain’s national rail operator, Renfe, said no single service had been able to leave stations following the outage. Parts of Madrid underground have been evacuated and traffic lights in the city are not working, local media reported.

Large crowds of commuters could be seen piling on to city buses as packed metro stations in the Catalonia capital went dark. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signals were also out.

In Madrid, traffic piled up on the roads after the lights went out. “I was driving and suddenly there was no traffic lights… It was a bit of a jungle," Luis Ibáñez Jiménez told CNN. “I saw a massive bus coming, and I had to accelerate a lot to go past it."

Eerie footage shows commuters in Madrid being evacuated through tunnels as blackouts hit underground stations and halted trains.

Metro system travellers in Lisbon were also seen attempting to use their phones in the pitch-black tunnels as staff assist with torches.

Airports have also been affected, with emergency generators turned on at Porto and Faro airport. Operations remain ‘limited’ at several airports, according to officials.

Dozens of air travellers waiting in standstill traffic near Lisbon’s airport have exited vehicles and opted to walk in a last ditch hope to catch their flight, footage obtained by The Telegraph showed. But when they arrived at the terminal, the travellers were met yet again with long queues.

In Madrid, hundreds of people stood in the streets outside office buildings and there was a heavy police presence around some important buildings, with officers directing traffic as well as driving along central atriums with lights.

Madrid’s mayor José Luis Martinez Almeida asked people to minimize their movements and only call emergency services if it was truly urgent. He also called on people to stay clear of the roads for emergency workers. Later in the day, Madrid’s emergency services provider urged the country’s government to declare a national emergency.

Spain

News world Metros Stopped, Airports Standstill, Chaos On Streets: Millions Affected As Massive Power Outage Hits Europe | Videos