Family of Three Dies from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Spain-Portugal Blackout

A tragic incident has claimed the lives of a family of three during the massive blackout that brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill.

The victims – identified as FDR, 81, his wife AFM, 77, and their disabled son JFDF, 56 – were found dead on April 28 in their home in Taboadela, a small town in the Galicia region of northeast Spain.

Authorities believe the family died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator or fuel-powered device malfunctioned while powering a respirator used by the father, a well-known retired justice of the peace who was battling a serious illness. Investigators suspect that toxic fumes filled the upper floor of the house while the family was asleep, leading to their deaths.

The deaths were among at least five fatalities linked to the widespread power outage that crippled the Iberian Peninsula, leaving millions without electricity, mobile networks, or access to cash machines. Train services were halted, and numerous flights were cancelled, causing chaos at major transport hubs.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the event as an unprecedented grid failure, revealing that the national power demand dropped by 60% in just five seconds. He said the disruption was caused by a “strong oscillation” in the European power grid, though the exact source is still under investigation.

Officials continue to assess the full impact of the blackout as emergency services respond to affected areas and families mourn loved ones lost in its aftermath.