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Why Did the Power Outage in Spain Almost Stop Airbus Production?
We rely on computers and power for everything. But sometimes, these big systems stop working. Two recent events show us just how easily things can break. One happened in the US with an emergency alert system, and the other happened in Europe at an airplane factory.
US Emergency Alerts Stopped Working
In the US, there is a tool called OnSolve CodeRED. Cities use it to send fast alerts to people during emergencies. Recently, bad actors on the internet (hackers) attacked this system.
- What Happened: A group called “Inc ransomware” attacked the system in November 2025.
- The Impact: The attack stopped alerts from going out across the whole country. It also stole private customer information.
- What You Should Do: If you use this service, change your passwords now. Watch your city’s social media pages for safety news until it is fixed.
Airbus Almost Stopped Making Planes
Airbus is a huge company that builds airplanes. They have a big computer center in Spain. On April 28, 2025, the power went out in Spain and Portugal for over 12 hours. This caused a scary close call.
- The Problem: The power outage was very long. The backup generators (machines that make power) almost ran out of fuel.
- The Risk: If the computers turned off, workers could not see their instructions. The robots that get parts would stop. This would have stopped plane production all over Europe.
- The Lesson: Airbus thought they were ready, but they were not. They could not get more fuel fast enough because everyone else needed it too.
- The Fix: Airbus is now storing more fuel at all its factories. They also made deals to get fuel first if this happens again.
Key Takeaways for You
- Backup Plans Fail: Even big companies like Airbus can be surprised. Always check your own backup plans.
- Cyber Safety Matters: Hackers can shut down vital safety tools. Protect your data.
- Fuel Is Critical: Generators only work if you have enough fuel to last a long time.