A catastrophic power failure struck Iraq’s national grid today, leaving cities and villages across the country without electricity after the sudden shutdown of a critical power plant in Anbar province.
Iraq’s Energy Ministry confirmed the blackout originated from a technical malfunction at the Anbar Central Power Plant, causing cascading failures nationwide. The collapse paralyzed daily life during extreme summer temperatures, with citizens reporting severe hardship without cooling systems or basic services.
“Technical teams are urgently working on restoration efforts,” a ministry statement read, promising phased power returns. No timeline was provided for full recovery.
Public outrage surged as temperatures exceeded 45°C (113°F), with social media flooded by Iraqis describing dangerous conditions for children, elderly, and hospital patients. The government has ordered an immediate investigation into the plant’s failure – Iraq’s worst power crisis in recent years.
