Power Outage in Spain Linked to Three Deaths Amid Nationwide Chaos

Madrid, Spain – A massive power outage across Spain has been linked to the deaths of at least three people, prompting investigations into the causes and effects of the incident that occurred on Monday.

The victims, a married couple and their adult son, were found deceased in the town of Taboadela in north-western Spain, according to reports from Spanish media. The Civil Guard is investigating the possible role of carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning electricity generator in their deaths.

As chaos ensued during the blackout, which also affected parts of Portugal and France, incidents including fires, hospital evacuations, and disruptions to transport systems were reported. One woman in her fifties died in Madrid after a candle allegedly sparked a fire during the power outage, while another woman in Valencia is believed to have died after her ventilator lost power.

The blackout began around midday local time and swiftly escalated, causing traffic lights to fail, metro services to halt, and numerous businesses to shut down. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed that up to 11 stranded trains were left without power, affecting thousands of travelers.

By Monday night, only half of the power had been restored across Spain, as authorities worked to address ongoing disruptions. Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, indicated that the cause of the blackout was still under investigation, urging the public against speculation.

The Spanish electricity grid operator, Red Eléctrica, stated that their preliminary assessment ruled out a cyberattack, although an unexpected failure in the connection between the country and France was noted as a possible contributor. The situation has left many people stranded, with reports of 286 rescue calls to free individuals trapped in elevators.

As efforts continue to return the system to normal, those affected by the blackout are being assisted by emergency services and local authorities, who are providing support amid a state of emergency.

Investigations are underway to determine the causes of the blackout and ensure accountability for the failures that led to this widespread disruption.