19h 6m agoThanks for joining us in our coverage of the events in Spain and Portugal today. Here’s a summary of what happened and what we know so far:

• Spain and Portugal were hit by a widespread power outage on Monday, shortly after noon local time
• Many companies sent workers home early because of the loss of power, though huge disruptions to transport — including traffic lights and train services — has made commuting difficult
• The blackout also hit phone and internet services, as well as industries from airlines to oil processors
• Initial signs are that the issue was caused by a rapid shift in grid frequency, which can cause chain reactions across power plants, leading to outages
• Grid operators in both Spain and Portugal say power is gradually resuming, although full restoration will take some time yet. At a press conference in Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered no clarity on when the power will be restored

Fergal O’BrienSenior Editor