section_path: Effects/Portugal
section_name: Portugal
paragraph_text: Portugal
  
  In Portugal, the blackout made most basic services inoperational, including stores, supermarkets, pharmacies and electronic payment systems. Hospitals resorted to generators to maintain operations. Traffic lights and transit systems were brought to a halt, causing road accidents. Additional police officers were deployed to deal with traffic problems caused by the failure of traffic lights. Mobile networks also experienced severe limitations, particularly voice calls and data services.
  
  The commuter rail and rapid transit services were stopped due to signaling problems, and trains were evacuated. Nonetheless, rail transport was not particularly affected since Comboios de Portugal were on strike that day. Electric buses, boats, ridesharing bicycles and trams were unable to depart their stations. Lisbon Airport operated with limitations and closed at around 13:00 WEST (14:00 CEST), although flights were allowed to take off from around 21:38 WEST. Meanwhile, airports in Porto and Faro switched to generator power.
  
  During the blackout, there was a scramble to stock up on essential items such as food and water, as well as batteries, lighting devices, and radios. The state-owned water company Águas de Portugal asked consumers to moderate their water usage to prevent system failures during the power cut. Even after the blackout, certain services such as the Portuguese Tax Portal remained offline until service could be restored on Wednesday.
  
  The cabinet of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro held an emergency meeting over the power cut, and declared an energy crisis on 28 April. The Prime Minister planned to ask the European Union for an audit of the affected electrical systems. He also took the decision to keep Tapada do Outeiro black start capability available until at least 2030 and expand that capability to at least two more locations, Alqueva Dam and Baixo Sabor Dam.
  
  At least one person died as a result of the blackout in Portugal. The 77-year-old victim was connected to a mechanical ventilator at home 24 hours a day. According to state-owned TV channel RTP, the breathing aid ran out of battery, and the National Emergency Medical Service did not arrive in time to help her.
  
  The island regions of Madeira and the Azores, disconnected from the European grid, remained unaffected.