Much of Spain and Portugal have been hit by a widespread power outage that has canceled flights, brought trains to a halt, downed phone lines and cellphone networks, and left thousands without access to their bank accounts as card payment machines and ATMs were also down.

Spain has declared a state of emergency as the nation and its neighbour Portugal remain in the grips of a power outage.A power blackout hit most of the Iberian Peninsula on Monday around 12.30pm local time which has brought traffic and transport to a standstill,