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Power outage causes chaos in Spain and Portugal Power outage causes chaos in Spain and Portugal
(about 1 hour later)
Police tell travellers that Madrid's Atocha train station is closed due to the outagePolice tell travellers that Madrid's Atocha train station is closed due to the outage
A massive power cut hit large parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing widespread chaos and disruption.A massive power cut hit large parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, causing widespread chaos and disruption.
The outage left millions of people without electricity, while internet and phone networks were also down.The outage left millions of people without electricity, while internet and phone networks were also down.
Trains were cancelled and evacuated in some regions, and traffic lights stopped working as delays mounted at airports.Trains were cancelled and evacuated in some regions, and traffic lights stopped working as delays mounted at airports.
With shops, homes and restaurants plunged into darkness - and some people stuck in lifts - Spain's electricity network said by mid-afternoon that restoring power could take several hours.With shops, homes and restaurants plunged into darkness - and some people stuck in lifts - Spain's electricity network said by mid-afternoon that restoring power could take several hours.
Spain's political leaders said the cause of the disruption was still unknown but there was no indication of a cyber attack.Spain's political leaders said the cause of the disruption was still unknown but there was no indication of a cyber attack.
When did the outage begin?When did the outage begin?
The first reports of an outage began around midday (10:00 GMT) on Monday and its impact quickly escalated.The first reports of an outage began around midday (10:00 GMT) on Monday and its impact quickly escalated.
As the scale of the disruption became clear, residents of Madrid were warned to stay put, keep off the roads and not to call emergency services unless "truly urgent".As the scale of the disruption became clear, residents of Madrid were warned to stay put, keep off the roads and not to call emergency services unless "truly urgent".
A Spanish operator said power restoration would take up to 10 hours, while Portugal's power firm REN said getting back to full power could take up to a week.A Spanish operator said power restoration would take up to 10 hours, while Portugal's power firm REN said getting back to full power could take up to a week.
Police enforced order as the power cut affected public transport in MadridPolice enforced order as the power cut affected public transport in Madrid
Queues formed at cash machines as card payments were affected by the outage, and there were reports that some petrol stations are closed.Queues formed at cash machines as card payments were affected by the outage, and there were reports that some petrol stations are closed.
Spanish media reported that some hospitals had implemented emergency plans, including halting routine work, news agencies reported.Spanish media reported that some hospitals had implemented emergency plans, including halting routine work, news agencies reported.
By early evening and after several hours of blackouts, residents in some parts of the country reported the lights are back on.By early evening and after several hours of blackouts, residents in some parts of the country reported the lights are back on.
Power was being restored "in several areas of the north, south and west of the [Iberian] peninsula", the Spanish grid operator said.Power was being restored "in several areas of the north, south and west of the [Iberian] peninsula", the Spanish grid operator said.
Working in the dark quickly became the norm for workers at this store in Burgos, SpainWorking in the dark quickly became the norm for workers at this store in Burgos, Spain
The authorities in Spain and Portugal are still trying to work out what caused the power cuts.The authorities in Spain and Portugal are still trying to work out what caused the power cuts.
"There are no indications of any cyberattack" at this point, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said."There are no indications of any cyberattack" at this point, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said.
As panic spread earlier in the day, residents of Madrid were warned to stay off the roads.As panic spread earlier in the day, residents of Madrid were warned to stay off the roads.
LIVE UPDATES: Disruption continues after widespread power outage
DAY WITHOUT POWER: How it unfolded, from half-finished haircuts to queues for shops
TRAVEL IMPACT: Flights cancelled and trains called off
DAY IN PICTURES: The best news photographs from a day of chaos
In a video on social media, the mayor of the Spanish capital, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, told residents to "keep their movements to an absolute minimum and, if at all possible, to remain where they are. We want to keep all roads clear."In a video on social media, the mayor of the Spanish capital, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, told residents to "keep their movements to an absolute minimum and, if at all possible, to remain where they are. We want to keep all roads clear."
People should only call emergency services if it is "truly urgent", he said.People should only call emergency services if it is "truly urgent", he said.
"If emergency calls go unanswered, go to the police and the fire stations in person, where they will try to deal with all the emergencies.""If emergency calls go unanswered, go to the police and the fire stations in person, where they will try to deal with all the emergencies."
What has been the impact?What has been the impact?
The country's nuclear power plants automatically stopped when the blackout hit, and the Spanish oil company Moeve said it halted operations at its oil refineries.The country's nuclear power plants automatically stopped when the blackout hit, and the Spanish oil company Moeve said it halted operations at its oil refineries.
Flights were also impacted, with delays and cancellations at some airports. EasyJet said it was experiencing some disruption to operations at Lisbon and Madrid. It said the situation was "fluid" and told customers to check local advice.Flights were also impacted, with delays and cancellations at some airports. EasyJet said it was experiencing some disruption to operations at Lisbon and Madrid. It said the situation was "fluid" and told customers to check local advice.
Aviation data company Cirium said 96 flights departing from Portugal - and 45 from Spain - had been cancelled.Aviation data company Cirium said 96 flights departing from Portugal - and 45 from Spain - had been cancelled.
Businesses have been severely affected. Some Ikea branches in Spain switched to backup generators and stopped customers from entering its stores.Businesses have been severely affected. Some Ikea branches in Spain switched to backup generators and stopped customers from entering its stores.
The Madrid Open Tennis organisers have decided to cancel Monday's event.The Madrid Open Tennis organisers have decided to cancel Monday's event.
Elsewhere, Andorra and parts of France were also hit, but the Balearic and Canary Islands were not affected.Elsewhere, Andorra and parts of France were also hit, but the Balearic and Canary Islands were not affected.
Were you affected by the outage? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukWere you affected by the outage? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk