A family of three has tragically lost their lives after a widespread blackout affected Spain and Portugal, bringing both countries to a standstill. The victims, a married couple, aged 81 and 77, and their disabled son, aged 56, were found dead on April 28 in their home in Taboadela, a small town in Galicia, northeast Spain. Investigators suspect the family died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator or fuel appliance malfunctioned during the power outage.
The father, 81, was a well-known justice of the peace who required a respirator due to a serious illness. It is believed that the generator, which was being used to power his respirator, malfunctioned. As the family members were upstairs, they unknowingly inhaled the toxic fumes.
The blackout caused widespread disruptions, leaving thousands of train passengers stranded, millions without phone and internet services, and people unable to access cash from ATMs across the Iberian Peninsula. Numerous flights were also canceled, creating confusion for travelers trying to understand their rights.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the European grid experienced a “strong oscillation,” but the exact cause of the power failure is still under investigation. He confirmed that the Spanish power grid lost 60% of its national demand in just five seconds, marking an unprecedented collapse in the system.
