Storm Kristin Batters Portugal, Killing 6 and Cutting Power to 290,000
Widespread blackouts in central regions, train services halted nationwide, and emergency declared in Leiria as storm claims six lives.
Key Points
- 290,000+ customers without electricity, worst in Leiria district with state of emergency declared.
- Multiple train lines suspended including Norte, Duero, Beira Baixa, and Oeste; partial resumption on some.
- Storm claims six lives; emergency responses strained with 30 generators deployed, 200 more en route.
- Slight improvement by Friday morning, no major incidents, but full damage assessment pending.
Storm Kristin has caused widespread disruption in Portugal, leaving more than 290,000 customers without electricity on Friday morning and halting multiple train services across the country. The storm has now claimed six lives, with its effects continuing to strain emergency responses.
Power outages were most severe in the Leiria district, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. Around 30 generators have been deployed there, with approximately 200 more en route, according to Portuguese media reports. Government data highlighted the scale of the blackouts, primarily affecting central regions.
Rail services faced major interruptions, as reported by state operator Comboios de Portugal (CP). Lines including Norte, Duero, Beira Baixa, and Oeste remained suspended, along with urban services in Coimbra and regional routes between Coimbra B and Entroncamento. Partial service resumed on the Beira Baixa line between Covilhã and Guarda, but most connections stayed offline.
The National Authority for Emergencies and Civil Protection noted a slight improvement by Friday morning, with no major incidents recorded during that period. However, a full assessment of the damage is still pending as cleanup efforts continue.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: