Fallout continues as power returns in Spain and Portugal after huge blackout

A sweeping power outage left millions of people across Spain, Portugal and parts of France without power on Monday. Authorities are still unclear about what caused the incident. Follow for live updates.

A massive blackout hit Spain and Portugal at midday on Monday, grinding the Iberian Peninsula to a halt.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a state of emergency as midnight approached, and only half of the country’s power had been restored.

His Portuguese counterpart, Luis Montenegro, said authorities were investigating the disruption. However, there was no indication of a cyberattack.

Chaotic scenes showed families sitting in their homes, lit by candlelight, as traffic was disrupted, thousands were stuck in metro tunnels, businesses shut down, and people were unable to make calls on mobile networks or pay without cash.

Read more: Euronews