Outage traps Portuguese and Spaniards, who are unable to pay their bills and feel powerless

The massive power outage on Monday reminded the Portuguese and Spaniards of their dependence on electricity in modern life and how they can be rendered helpless in an instant.

Some people were trapped in lifts during the eight-hour power outage that began around midday. Others had to descend multiple flights of stairs with their phones as light.

Metros and trains came to a complete halt. People were either trapped in carriages for hours by electric doors, or forced out to walk, jump over the tracks and pick their way across.

Ana Cordero, a Puerto Rican tourist, was stranded for three hours on a train heading to Barcelona before she was evacuated. She could not access any information other than a message over the train's tannoy stating that there was a blackout.

She said that the staff opened the toilets to people, but the battery of the train died.

"It was so stupid, because everything was electronic." "Even to wash your hand, you had press a button but it didn't work," Cordero stated.

As people tried to contact loved ones or schools for their children, phone and internet signals dropped and then disappeared completely.

Many people who were desperate to get news turned to their car radios or analogue ones if they had them. They could not receive the news on their mobile phones or websites.

Traffic lights were out of order and people had difficulty navigating without the aid of mapping apps.

Many garages were closed off by electric gates and doors, so not everyone was able to get their cars.

No Cash? No Cash?

Taxis were unavailable, and those who tried to use them were turned away for not having cash. They were also forced to barter with the driver to pay later.

Many supermarkets were unable to accept payments and closed, while others quickly ran out basic supplies such as milk, bread, and water.

It's a good reminder of how dependent we are on technology and electricity, even just the basic connections. They're so important to our daily lives," said Albert Fernandez (26), an engineer who was in a queue outside a Barcelona electronic store trying to access its wifi.

Locals and tourists found out that electronic locks on the doors of their accommodations prevented them from getting in. Visitors were checked in by torchlight at a guesthouse located in Ronda, south Spain.

Owners of bars, restaurants and food stores were concerned about the costs of perishable products that had been left in refrigerators and freezers. Some opened their doors to customers and only accepted cash, while others shut down.

People who depend on home medical devices, such as oxygen concentrators that have finite backup power sources, and people using mobility aids such as wheelchairs were among the worst affected.

Lola Diaz Fernandez (58) was stuck in the Valencia train station after her train to Madrid was delayed. She was allowed to spend the night in the station, along with others who had mobility issues.

She said, "I have problems with inflammation of my legs when I sit for long periods." "Thank goodness, I was able to stay here because there were adapted toilets. It'll probably take me a few days to recover.

Andrei Khalip, a deputy bureau chief in Lisbon who uses a wheel chair, was left without electricity for 11 hours. He was trapped in his apartment because the lift had broken down.

He said: "The worst part was that I couldn't work because of the fact that my phone signal would not come through. The feeling of dependence on electricity and communication networks and realising how much we depend on them made me feel helpless."

Enjoy a Day Off

Unexpected afternoons off from work or study allowed many Spaniards to enjoy the best of what the country is known for. This included sunlit squares and drinks on terraces. Games were also played and people got together with their neighbours at spontaneous street parties.

Friends shared photos on social media when power was restored. They returned to playing board games such as Scrabble, without being distracted by mobile phones. And they ate family dinners on gas stoves, with candlelight.

Some people posted that the blackout demonstrated the need to stockpile emergency supplies, which the European Union had said that citizens should do in the event of natural disasters or cyber attacks.

As the lights twinkled across Madrid, residents screamed and clapped in relief. Reporting by Iberia Bureau, writing by Aislinn laing; editing Alexandra Hudson

(source: Reuters)