At least three individuals have died in Spain connected to a significant power outage that paralyzed the nation on Monday, according to the Civil Guard. The fatalities, all members of the same family, occurred in the north-western municipality of Taboadela, as reported by various media sources. Authorities are investigating whether carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning electricity generator contributed to their deaths, although details remain scarce.
The victims—a married couple and their adult son—were discovered deceased in their beds by a care worker on Tuesday. The situation escalated further in Madrid, where a woman in her fifties succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire. This blaze may have erupted due to a candle used during the blackout, with local reports indicating she was found dead later that evening in the Carabanchel district. Thirteen others suffered from smoke inhalation, with five needing hospital care.
In Valencia, reports indicate another woman lost her life, although the exact cause remains uncertain. Local police hinted that her ventilator may have lost power during the outage, but some sources claim she died due to pre-existing health issues.
The blackout wreaked havoc across Spain and Portugal, disrupting essential services. Traffic lights failed, metro systems halted, and businesses struggled with cashless payments, resulting in long queues at functioning ATMs. In a troubling twist, initial disruptions even affected mobile networks, leaving many scrambling for vital information as conditions worsened.
As investigations continue into the causes of this extensive blackout, the tragic loss of life underscores the urgent need for improvements in safety measures and crisis response protocols in the face of such emergencies.
