Massive power outages have swept across Spain and Portugal, plunging millions into darkness and prompting Spain to declare a state of emergency.
The blackouts, which began around 12.30pm local time, have shut down transport networks and triggering panic buying across the Iberian peninsula.
Huge queues have formed outside shops and banks as residents and tourists desperately seek to stockpile essentials and withdraw cash amid the uncertainty.
"People are starting to panic. It's going to get really bad if they don't restore power quickly," a British holidaymaker in Madrid told MailOnline.
Huge queues have formed outside shops and banks as residents and tourists desperately seek to stockpile essentials and withdraw cash amid the uncertainty
REUTERS
Trains and metro services have been shut down in both countries, with people stuck in tunnels and on railway tracks, forcing evacuations.
Maddie Sephton, from London, was trapped on the Madrid Metro when the blackout hit. "We got on the train and everything was fine. But then everything went dark," she told Sky News.
Passengers had to climb 15 flights of stairs to escape.
Airports have also been severely affected, with flights delayed and cancelled. TAP Air Portugal has warned holidaymakers not to travel to airports until further notice.
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Spanish officials are urgently investigating the cause of the outages, with authorities not ruling out the possibility of a cyber attack.
"A cyberattack has not been ruled out and investigations are ongoing," an official told Politico.
Portugal's grid operator suggested the disruptions were the result of a "fault in the Spanish electricity grid" related to a "rare atmospheric phenomenon".
They explained that extreme temperature variations had led to "anomalous oscillations" in high-voltage power lines, causing parts of the grid to get out of sync.
The European Union Agency for Cyber Security said they were "monitoring the whole thing very closely".
British holidaymaker Adrian Coles described the struggle to reach Madrid airport, saying: "People are fighting over taxis and the streets are mostly at a standstill."
Mobile networks and internet access have failed across both countries, with landlines also down.
An expat named Lesley told the BBC: "We are worried about food, water, cash and petrol in case this goes on for a couple of days."
Mobile networks and internet access have failed across both countries, with landlines also down
REUTERS
Rows of cars have also been pictured lining up at petrol stations as people desperately try to fill vehicles and fuel cans.
Portugal's electricity grid operator has warned it is "impossible" to say when power will be fully restored, adding that it could take up to a week.
A director at Spain's electricity grid operator described the outage as "exceptional and totally extraordinary" and estimated repairs would take between six and 10 hours.
Power has since returned to parts of northern, southern and western Spain, according to grid operators.
Madrid's Mayor urged people to stay where they were as the disaster unfolded.
