Millions faced electricity loss as the outage began around midday, leading to stalled trains and traffic lights while emergency services urged the public to stay put. Madrid's Atocha train station closed its doors as queuing efforts for cash machines ramped up. The Spanish electricity network is expected to take hours or up to a week for full restoration. Confirming there was "no indication" of a cyberattack, officials scrambled to assess the cause and impact. Amidst rising tension, reports emerged of disrupted air travel and businesses switching to backup power as residents cautiously navigated the situation.

Authorities encourage safety as power restoration begins.

Although power returned to several areas by the evening, some remain without. The mayor of Madrid instructed residents to minimize travel, amidst a backdrop of automated nuclear plant shutdowns and halted refinery operations. The blackout's ripple effects were felt beyond Spain and Portugal, with neighboring regions also encountering issues.