section_path: Misinformation
section_name: Misinformation
paragraph_text: Misinformation
  
  Several false and misleading claims were circulated regarding the origins of the power cut. Messages were spread online (at 12:56, 23 minutes after the blackout) claiming that it was caused by a Russian cyberattack, falsely attributed to CNN International and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. It was also falsely attributed to the Portuguese electricity company EDP Group.
  
  Some media outlets, including CNN and Reuters, reported that REN claimed it was because of a supposed "rare atmospheric event" called "induced atmospheric vibration", causing "synchronization failures between the electrical systems". REN has denied releasing either of these statements. A claim of solar flare received 1.9 million views, and was rejected by the Space Weather Prediction Center. Several false satellite photos showing a blacked out peninsula at night were also spread.