Three dead in Spain due to use of electric generator during blackout

The National Police confirmed this Monday the death of three people in a home in the province of Toledo, in Castilla-La Mancha, after using a portable electric generator during the massive blackout that affected much of Spain and other European countries.

According to the preliminary report, the victims—two adults and a minor—may have died from carbon monoxide inhalation, a toxic gas emitted by these devices if not used in well-ventilated spaces. The generator was running inside the home's closed garage at the time of the tragedy.

Emergency 112 sources indicated that the health services could do nothing to save their lives, as they were found lifeless by a family member who went to the home after being unable to contact them.

This tragic incident highlights the risks associated with the incorrect use of alternative energy equipment during emergency situations. Authorities have issued an urgent reminder to the public about the need to follow safety recommendations when using generators: always place them in open spaces and never inside homes or closed garages.

The blackout, which is still being investigated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, left millions of homes in the Iberian Peninsula without power, prompting massive purchases of generators and other stand-alone equipment.

The government has expressed its regret over the tragedy and promised to strengthen public information on safety protocols for blackouts and other energy emergencies.