According to data collected by state and regional emergency services, the prolonged interruption of energy supply – up to 12 hours in some regions – has been lethal for people dependent on medical devices and who resorted to emergency methods to survive.
Galicia: The epicenter of the tragedy
The most beaten autonomous community has been Galicia, with six confirmed deaths. In Ferrol, a 59 -year -old man with several pathologies was found lifeless by his niece after hours without electricity. In Betanzos, an 80 -year -old old man died while sleeping. In Dumbría, an 86 -year -old man failed to overcome the day without assistance.
But the most shocking case occurred in Taboadela (Ourense): an electric generator installed by the town hall in the home of a family caused an accumulation of carbon monoxide that killed the three residents – Padre, mother and son. The device, designed to feed the father’s respirator, ended up releasing lethal gas due to poor combustion.
Madrid and Cádiz: Deaths for fires caused by candles
In the neighborhood of Carabanchel (Madrid), A candle on the blackout caused a fire that ended the life of a 52 -year -old man. In addition, other thirteen people were intoxicated by smoke. The scene was repeated in Algeciras (Cádiz)where a domestic fire ended with a deadly victim in the Park Bologna urbanization, one of the three fires recorded that morning.
Dependents without resources: silent deaths
In Castilla y León, a patient with ELA died after the exhaustion of the batteries of his respirator. The electricity cut exceeded its support capacity, and could not receive assistance in time.
Something similar happened In Alcira (Valencia), where a 46 -year -old woman with cardiopulmonary disease died from the disconnection of her oxygen equipment. The National Police tried to revive her without success for more than 20 minutes.
The government demands responsibilities: voltage with electricity
The human tragedy has caused an immediate response from the Executive. Pedro Sánchez, after appearing three times in 24 hours, has demanded that electricity deliver all the technical data of the event. He even sent CNI agents to the facilities, a decision that has been criticized as an act of interventionism without a court order.
Government’s discomfort with Spanish Electricity (Ree), chaired by Beatriz CorridorIt is palpable. Although formally no direct responsibilities have been requested, the Clean Manos Union has filed a complaint against it for negligence during the collapse of the system. Institutional tension is evident.
Negligence or structural failure?
Energy experts They had noticed for years the vulnerabilities of the Spanish electrical system, especially in renewable overload scenarios without stable support. A technical report already alerted in 2020 of the possibility of generalized blackouts. Now, the April 2025 blackout seems to have turned that risk into a painful reality.
