The historic massive power outage that occurred this Tuesday in several regions of Spain has resulted in at least five fatalities—potentially rising to seven—and multiple cases of poisoning in different parts of the country, according to official sources from emergency and security services.
The most serious tragedy occurred in the Galician town of Taboadela (Ourense), where three members of the same family died from carbon monoxide inhalation, reported the newspaper La Vanguardia.
The victims—a couple aged 81 and 77 and their 56-year-old son—used a generator to power a ventilator, which was essential for one of the family members.
According to the Civil Guard, poor combustion from the appliance may have spread the toxic gas throughout the home.
In addition, in the Valencian town of Alzira, a 46-year-old woman with a lung condition passed away while at her home.
Although police sources indicated that the power outage affected the functioning of the equipment supplying him with oxygen, the Ministry of Health has stated that his death was due to natural causes, while the family maintains that the blackout was decisive.
Also in Madrid, a 52-year-old woman lost her life and thirteen other people were poisoned in a fire that started in a home in the Carabanchel district, allegedly caused by a lit candle during the power outage.
The fire, which broke out before electricity was fully restored in the entire area, forced firefighters to carry out multiple rescues. Eight individuals were treated on site and five were transported to hospitals.
Galician authorities have also reported the death of three more people in various locations in A Coruña, leading some media outlets to mention a total of 10 fatalities.
In Ferrol, a 59-year-old man with pre-existing conditions was found dead by his niece; however, it is yet to be confirmed whether the death was related to the blackout.
In Betanzos, an octogenarian was found dead after being left in good condition by his caregiver the night before.
In Dumbría, another 86-year-old man died due to causes that are under investigation, although all signs point to a possible connection with the power outage.
The Minister of the Presidency of Galicia, Diego Calvo, confirmed that the deaths are being investigated as part of the incidents related to the blackout, the causes of which are still under investigation.
The emergency system 112 has received more than a hundred calls related to health issues, fires, and failures of medical equipment caused by the power outage.
Meanwhile, the central Government has called for caution and announced that emergency protocols for such events are being reviewed, given the serious impact that a blackout can have on the most vulnerable population.
Frequently Asked Questions about the General Blackout in Spain and Its Consequences
How many people died due to the blackout in Spain?
The massive power outage in Spain resulted in at least five fatalities, although some sources indicate that the number could rise to ten. The deaths were attributed to accidents and failures in medical equipment during the power cut.
What caused the massive blackout in Spain and Portugal?
The blackout was caused by a strong fluctuation in power flow within the electrical networks, leading to Spain's disconnection from the European electrical system. The exact causes are still under investigation, but a cyberattack has been ruled out, with technical factors and a high dependence on solar energy being highlighted.
What were the main consequences of the blackout on infrastructure and services?
The blackout caused the collapse of transportation systems such as trains and subways, affected telecommunications, and led to problems in hospitals and airports. Additionally, it created chaos in urban traffic due to nonfunctional traffic lights and necessitated the evacuation of public buildings.
How is the energy crisis being addressed following the blackout in Spain?
The Spanish government has announced a technical investigation to determine the causes of the blackout, and emergency protocols are being reviewed. Red Eléctrica is working to stabilize the power grid, and almost the entire electricity supply has been restored. There is also a discussion about the need for a balance in the energy mix to prevent future crises.
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