Spain-Portugal Face Blackout, Wildfires Hit Israel
Massive power outage hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on April 28, and a major wildfire broke out near Jerusalem on April 30, affecting millions and sparking investigations.
On Sunday, 28 April 2025, a major power cut hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France. It started at exactly 12:33 PM and caused big problems across the region.
Everything was normal that morning. The sun was shining in Madrid, and people were enjoying their time in Barcelona cafés. But suddenly, the lights flickered and then went off completely.
What Happened During the Blackout:
- Traffic lights stopped working.
- Metro trains came to a halt.
- Mobile networks went down.
- ATMs were not working.
In just a few minutes, more than 50 million people lost electricity. There was no internet, no AC, no lights—people were stuck in a difficult situation.
What Caused It?
At first, some thought it was a rare weather effect. Later, there were rumours of a cyberattack from pro-Russian hackers, but governments said there was no proof. Now, experts believe the problem happened because of a sudden power imbalance in the grid.
Reports say that Spain suddenly lost 15 gigawatts of electricity—about 60% of its power—in just 5 seconds. This caused emergency shutdowns across the region.
Impact and Loss:
The blackout lasted till the next morning in most places. Sadly, seven people died in Spain—mainly due to fire accidents and generator fumes.
Emergency services were busy, but local people helped each other by sharing food, candles, and checking on neighbours.
By 29 April morning, power was back in 99% of affected areas.
Political Reactions:
After this, Spain’s Deputy PM Yolanda Díaz said that the power grid company, Red Eléctrica de España (REE), should be taken over by the government. But the Socialist Party (ruling party) didn’t agree and asked for a more balanced solution.
This incident showed that modern power systems are still at risk—especially as countries shift to renewable energy sources.
Big Wildfire Near Jerusalem, Israel
On 30 April 2025, a huge wildfire started near Beit Shemesh, close to Jerusalem. Because of hot weather and strong winds, the fire spread very fast.
Over 10,000 people had to leave their homes. Roads were closed and Memorial Day events were cancelled. Around 45 people were injured due to smoke.
Israel sent 163 fire teams, 12 planes, and even army forces to control the fire. Italy, Croatia, and North Macedonia also sent help.
Police later arrested a man from East Jerusalem on suspicion of setting the fire. After 30 hours, the fire was brought under control, and people started returning home.
Investigation is still going on to confirm the exact cause.
