On April 28, 2025, at 12:33 PM, a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts from the state electrical grid caused a general collapse. This situation paralyzed businesses and offices, turned off traffic lights, and pushed hospital generators to their limits, trapping thousands of people on trains and in elevators. Uncertainty marked the day, with citizens queuing to buy food, candles, and radios at the few establishments that had generators or accepted cash payments.
Several municipalities in Lleida had to mobilize to assist train passengers who were stranded. One of the most notable cases was L'Albi, which hosted 590 travelers from an Avlo train bound for Barcelona in its municipal pavilion. The response was immediate, with the participation of Mossos d'Esquadra, Firefighters, Red Cross, rural agents, the town council, neighbors, and volunteers, who provided food, water, and hundreds of beds.
One year later, L'Albi town council has still not received reimbursement for the expenses incurred during this assistance. The local mayor has expressed concern about the lack of clear protocols and warned that, should a similar situation recur, the municipality would once again be unprotected.
“"The main problem was losing communication. Then the Urban Police mobilized, distributed radios and walkie-talkies to critical facilities, and offered to transport patients or people requiring medical attention. Now we have radios in all essential city offices and services and a protocol in case of a blackout; April 28 served to prepare us."
