Spain and Portugal quickly returned to normality as experts tried to identify the cause of the largest cuts in Europe's recent history, which put the city into darkness and left tens of thousands trapped on trains.
By Tuesday morning, all power substations in Spain were up and running, and 99.95% of the country's power supply had been restored. A spokesman for power operator Ren said all substations are fully operated and the national network has been “completely stable”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Monday night, after a day of rumors and wild guesses, experts are working to restore their full strength and find out what caused the power outage.
“It's something that has never happened before,” he said. “What prompted the supply to disappear suddenly is something that experts still cannot determine. But they will… all potential causes are being analyzed and no assumptions or possibilities are being ruled out.”
Sanchez said the power for the cut was at 12.33pm on Monday afternoon, when, in five seconds, the 15 Gigawat of energy generated suddenly disappeared.
Related: “People are stunned”: Massive power outages throughout Spain and Portugal
The Prime Minister, who held a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday morning, thanked people for “against exemplary responsibility and public spirit.”
In a statement earlier Tuesday, the Spanish National Meteorological Agency AEMET appeared to rule out the weather could be the culprit.
“On the day of April 28, no abnormal weather or atmospheric phenomena were detected and there was no sudden difference in temperature in our network of weather stations,” AEMET said.
All airports in Spain operate Tuesday morning, but the Ministry of Transport recommends people check with airlines for possible changes and determine if they can reach the airport on public transport.
National railway operator Renfe said the country's train network was hit hard by power outages and gradually returned to normal, but local train services were suspended in areas including Murcia, Extremadura and Andalusia.
About 35,000 people were rescued from more than 100 trains after the impact on Monday.
In Madrid, after the train stopped in stations and tunnels, 150,000 people were escorted into the capital's metro system. By Tuesday morning, the city's subway service had resumed on all lines outside of one line and 80% of the trains were running at peak hours.
Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso said at 11:00 a.m. local time (1000 BST), the metro system is 100% operational, adding: “All schools are open, as are hospitals, medical centers, day centres and nursing centres. Thanks to everyone who made it all.”
The Catalan regional government said local train services were still affected by the power outage, but underground and bus networks were operating normally.
In Europe, widespread disruption is unusual. In 2003, a hydroelectric power line problem between Italy and Switzerland caused power outages for about 12 hours, and in 2006, an overloaded power network in Germany caused power cuts across the country as well as in France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Austria, Belgium, Belgium and the Netherlands.
By 10 a.m., stores in Madrid reopened and many were heading to ATMs to withdraw cash that they could not get the previous day.
Madrid Atocha, Spain’s busiest railway station, has turned it into an impromptu campground, and overnight, frustrated travelers lie on cardboard and clothes while waiting for the news.
Related: “Are there any radio?” I was eager to buy supplies in Madrid because of a power outage.
An upset couple left the station in tears while the others were stuck to their phones, trying to connect with their loved ones and finding information in a pile of suitcases.
Ruben Coiran, 24, returned to Barcelona and stayed for 11 hours in Atocha.
“It's tough – enduring hunger, unresolved … we had a tough time,” he told Agence France-Presse.
“There are older people, and the kids don't eat for six or seven hours. They don't have a toilet,” added Colan, who works in it.
“It’s even more difficult for older people and those with babies.”
