**Welsh Siblings Caught in Spanish Blackout Describe ‘Insane’ Ordeal During National Crisis**
A trio of siblings from the small Welsh town of Pontllanfraith have described their shock and confusion after being stranded in Spain during a major nationwide electricity blackout. As Spain struggled to recover from one of the most significant power cuts in recent memory, Seren Thomas, 21, Calen Thomas, 19, and Finn Thomas, 17, recounted the surreal atmosphere on what was meant to be their first shared holiday abroad.
The power outage, which struck on Monday, rippled across Spain and affected neighbouring regions in Portugal and France. It brought public transport, airports, and even hospitals to a standstill, while leaving public services grappling with outages. Spanish authorities declared a national emergency as the chaos unfolded, pushing many into uncertainty about how long the disruption would last.
Seren and Finn had travelled to Santander to visit their brother Calen, who has spent the past few months in the city on a gap year, working with local charities and a local church. The occasion marked the siblings’ first trip abroad together, a fact which made the circumstances all the more memorable.
“We were in a shop, trying to top up our bus cards, when everything went dark,” Finn recounted. “We assumed it was just a fault in the shop at first, but as we walked outside, we realised that entire streets were without power and shops up and down the road were closed.”
The initial confusion quickly escalated as the scale of the power cut became apparent. The city filled with people emerging from shops and workplaces, and the siblings saw crowds surging around bus stops, desperate to find a way home. “There were people everywhere; shop owners, children, people just milling about – and total chaos with the traffic as the lights all went off simultaneously,” Seren explained. “It was really intense.”
Despite the stressful circumstances, the siblings described a sense of camaraderie among locals and authorities. “People were genuinely helpful,” Seren added. “When we asked what was going on, everyone was kind, even if no one really knew how long it would last. At first, it seemed unbelievable that the whole country could be affected.”
Calen’s local knowledge, courtesy of his gap year, proved invaluable amid the uncertainty. “Having lived here for a while, I knew my way around, which helped us stay calm and avoid the worst of the crowds,” he said. “We wanted to get out of the packed city centre, so we headed for the beach. We decided we might as well get a tan, in true Welsh fashion, and try to make the best of it.”
One of the most worrying aspects for the family was the breakdown in mobile networks and Internet connectivity. Finn noted, “For much of that day we couldn’t reach anyone back home. With no Internet, our parents were really concerned, especially when they heard the news reports about flights and airports shutting down.”
Though power has begun to return in some parts of Spain, as of the latest reports, disruption continues. The siblings remain uncertain about their travel plans. Seren, who is due to fly home soon, said: “Our flights are in a few days, but so far, there’s no clear update. We’re hoping the situation improves, but we’re preparing for possible delays.”
The ordeal, while unsettling, has brought the siblings closer together and reminded them of home. “We miss Wales – the landscape, my friends, and especially fish and chips,” admitted Calen. “But, more than anything, I’m glad we were together when it happened. It would have been a lot harder alone.”
Despite the upheaval, the Thomas siblings have managed to maintain a sense of humour and perspective. Finn concluded, “It was scary at times, but I was glad to have my family with me. It made a confusing day a bit less frightening.”
Spain continues to grapple with the aftermath of the blackout, and for visitors and locals alike, the incident has become an unexpected chapter in their personal stories. With systems gradually being restored, the Thomas siblings – like many others – are hoping for a swift return to normality.