Mysterious Blackout Plunges Spain and Portugal Into Darkness—What’s Behind the Sudden Power Loss?

Ever notice how you don’t really appreciate electricity—until suddenly you’re contemplating dinner by candlelight and wondering if you’ll ever see a working ATM again? That’s the scenario millions faced across Spain and Portugal, where a colossal blackout threw the entire Iberian Peninsula into a state somewhere between “retro family night” and “societal collapse lite.” Subway trains screeched to a halt, phones fizzled out, and confused Spaniards probably started blaming Portugal for stealing their charger again. Makes me wonder: in an age obsessed with connectivity, what happens when the grid goes down and civilization is forced to—brace yourself—interact in person? If you’re curious whether Monopoly counts as disaster relief or just want to know if the King of Spain ever checks his texts, you’re not alone. Dive into the gloriously awkward chaos and chuckle-worthy hot takes in the full story. LEARN MORE

A blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill, halting subway and railway trains, cutting phone service, and shutting down traffic lights and ATMs for millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula. What do you think?

“This could seriously impede their 15-hour workweek.”

Ron Hoffmann, Systems Analyst

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“It breaks my heart to think of all those poor families forced to play Monopoly right now.”

Jim Lizaola, Engine Tinkerer

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“Oh, that’s why the king of Spain wasn’t answering my texts.”

Grace Romain, Unemployed