Electricity Supply Gradually Returns to Vega Baja After Blackout
An unprecedented day was experienced this Monday, April 28, in Spain. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., a widespread blackout occurred across the entire peninsula, causing confusion, chaos, and collapse throughout the country. In the Valencian Community, more than 99% of the electrical service has been restored, according to the Government Delegate, Pilar Bernabé, who has called a CECOPI meeting at 8:00 a.m.
In Vega Baja, around 10:00 p.m., the power supply began to be restored after several hours of uncertainty. Emergency services advised limiting travel, avoiding the use of elevators, and calling 112 only in case of emergency.
The Emergency Information and Coordination Center (CICU) reported that hospitals activated backup generators and were operating normally, except for some issues in radiology. Scheduled surgical procedures for yesterday afternoon were suspended where they had been planned. Patients using home oxygen therapy were referred to health centers (PAC) by the CICU.
Various municipalities declared a state of emergency.
In Orihuela, the Municipal Operational Coordination Center (CECOPAL) reported around 2:00 a.m. that 90% of the municipality had regained power. The remaining areas were expected to recover in the following hours. CECOPAL remains active to ensure essential services. Health centers are operating normally. Since early afternoon, they had a dedicated communication network in place to coordinate essential services and handle incidents. Local police patrols were tripled, and the teams of the National Police, Fire Department, Red Cross, Civil Protection, and Emergency Services were reinforced. In accordance with the decision made by the CECOPI of the Generalitat Valenciana, educational centers will be open this Tuesday with lunch service and school transport, but without classes. This was communicated by municipalities on social media as much as possible, including Orihuela, Torrevieja, Pilar de la Horadada, among others.
The municipalities of Orihuela and Torrevieja have scheduled press conferences for 11:00 a.m. this Tuesday to provide assessments of the blackout in their respective areas.
Universities also issued statements. Juan José Ruiz Martínez, rector of Miguel Hernández University (UMH) in Elche, announced on the social network X that due to ongoing problems caused by the massive blackout, all academic activities at UMH would be suspended until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Work activities will continue in person, unless access is not possible. Further updates will be provided depending on how the situation develops. Later, due to the mobility problems caused by the blackout, UMH canceled all academic activities scheduled for today, April 29, including those in the afternoon. Activities are expected to resume normally starting tomorrow, April 30. Further updates will be given as the situation evolves.
Monday left behind extraordinary images, especially at night, many of which were captured and shared by social media users, including the mayor of Guardamar del Segura.
