Power begins to return to Spain and Portugal after unprecedented blackout

The sudden regional blackout in Spain left tens of millions without power due to extreme temperatures affecting high-voltage lines, causing widespread disruptions including train stops, traffic jams, and blacked-out ATMs and mobile networks. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that 50% of the national electricity supply was restored overnight, but the country faced significant travel and communication challenges, with metro systems and hospital operations relying on backup generators. The situation remains asymmetric across regions, while emergency measures likeevacuating metro cars and queues for essential supplies persist as authorities work to restore power efficiently.