The Spanish power distributor calls it “exceptional and extraordinary.” Power went down just after noon and by nightfall only half of the power had been restored in Spain. The cause was not immediately clear Monday.

Spain and Portugal declared a state of emergency after an all-encompassing power failure struck those nations as well as Belgium, Andorra and France.

Several airports, including Madrid airport, which is Spain's busiest, had no electricity, El Mundo reported. Major cities including Barcelona, Seville and Valencia were without power. Parts of France were also affected by power loss.