No Indications Spain, Portugal Blackout a Cyberattack: EU’s Costa
A massive power outage has struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions of people without electricity. The cause of the blackout is still unknown, but EU Council President Antonio Costa has stated that there are “no indications of any cyberattack at this point.” Costa has also been in touch with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to provide support and guidance during this time.
The power outage began on Wednesday evening, with reports of widespread outages across both countries. Many cities and towns were plunged into darkness, causing disruptions to daily life and commerce. Emergency services were quickly deployed to affected areas, with rescue teams working to help those in need.
As the situation unfolded, speculation began to circulate that the blackout may have been caused by a cyberattack. However, Costa has moved to quell such rumors, stating that there is currently no evidence to suggest that a cyberattack was responsible for the outage.
“In this moment, we have no indications of any cyberattack at this point,” Costa said in a statement. “Grid operators in both countries are working on finding the cause and restoring the electricity supply.”
Costa’s comments come as a relief to many, as a cyberattack would have significant implications for the security and stability of both countries. The EU has been working to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses in recent years, and a successful attack would be a major setback.
Despite the lack of evidence, investigators are still working to determine the cause of the blackout. Grid operators in both Spain and Portugal are conducting an analysis of the situation, and are working to identify the root cause of the outage.
The blackout has also raised concerns about the potential impact on critical infrastructure. Both countries have a range of critical systems that are dependent on electricity, including hospitals, transportation systems, and data centers. If the outage is caused by a cyberattack, it could have far-reaching consequences for the security and stability of both countries.
In the meantime, Costa has assured that the EU is doing everything it can to support Spain and Portugal during this time. “We are in close contact with the authorities in both countries, and we are doing everything we can to support them in their response to this situation,” he said.
The EU has a range of tools and resources at its disposal to support member states in times of crisis. These include the EU’s Cybersecurity Agency, which provides guidance and support to member states on cybersecurity issues. The EU also has a range of cooperation agreements with other countries and international organizations, which can be used to share information and coordinate responses to cyber threats.
In addition to the EU’s support, Costa has also been in touch with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. “I have spoken with both President Sánchez and Prime Minister Montenegro, and we are working together to address this situation,” he said.
The blackout has caused significant disruption to daily life in both Spain and Portugal. Many people were forced to spend the night in darkness, and there are reports of power being restored in some areas, but not others. The economic impact of the blackout is also likely to be significant, with many businesses and industries reliant on electricity.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the blackout is a major crisis, and it will require a coordinated response from authorities in both Spain and Portugal to restore power and ensure the safety and security of the public.
Source: https://x.com/eucopresident/status/1916859055546544517
