The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, stated on Monday that "no hypothesis is ruled out" regarding the causes of the massive blackout that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula and parts of France.
The statements were made during an official broadcast on social media, in which the leader urged calm and responsibility from the citizens.
The security protocols have been activated and the Government has declared an electricity crisis," Sánchez explained after concluding the Security Council meeting at La Moncloa.
In his remarks, he emphasized that the power outage was caused by a "strong fluctuation in the European electrical system," although he reiterated that the technical teams are still investigating the exact origin of the incident.
The causes are still being investigated. It's best not to speculate, the president insisted.
During his appearance, Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to minimize their travel, to follow only information released through official channels, and to refrain from spreading information of "dubious origin."
Additionally, he recommended making responsible use of mobile phones, limiting calls to brief communications and reserving the use of 112 solely for true emergencies.
The president also reported that the Government is in constant contact with the Royal Palace, parliamentary groups, European partners, and NATO to coordinate actions and manage the crisis.
He also specified that the communities of Andalucía, Extremadura, and Madrid have requested to activate level three of civil protection, so the government will take direct management in those affected areas.
Sánchez expressed optimism about the recovery of the electric service, noting that the hydroelectric plants have already been restored, although he refrained from committing to a specific timeline for the complete normalization of the supply.
"The priority is to work towards regaining normalcy as soon as possible," she emphasized.
Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the recovery of electrical supply in certain areas of northern and southern Spain was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the authorities of France and Morocco, to whom he expressed his gratitude for their solidarity during the crisis.
He pointed out that the blackout also had repercussions in the south of France and attributed the root cause of the incident to the "European electrical system."
His intervention, which lasted just over seven minutes and did not allow for questions, concluded with the announcement of a new National Security Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM.
The blackout, which began shortly after noon, has caused significant disruptions to infrastructure, telecommunications, and transport in various areas of Spain and Portugal, while efforts to fully restore electrical service continue.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Massive Power Outage in Spain and Portugal
What was the official cause of the massive blackout in Spain and Portugal?
The official cause of the massive blackout is still under investigation, but a "severe fluctuation in the European electrical system" has been identified as the factor that triggered the outage. The authorities do not rule out a cyberattack as a possible cause, given the international context of cyber threats. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact origin of the incident.
How long is the blackout expected to last?
The complete restoration of the electrical supply could take between six and ten hours, according to Red Eléctrica. The full restoration of service will depend on technical conditions and the reconnection of generation groups. Contingency plans have been activated to expedite the process.
What measures has the Spanish government taken to manage the blackout crisis?
The Spanish government has activated security protocols and declared an electricity crisis. Citizens have been advised to minimize travel and to follow information only from official channels. Furthermore, the government is in contact with European partners and NATO to coordinate actions. Some regions have requested to activate level three of civil protection.
How has the blackout affected the infrastructures in Spain and Portugal?
The blackout has paralyzed essential infrastructures such as rail and air transportation, as well as traffic systems, causing delays and cancellations. It has also affected telecommunications and electronic payment systems, forcing many stores to accept only cash. Hospitals have been operating with emergency generators to maintain their critical functions.
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