MADRID/LISBON (Reuters) -A huge power outage brought parts of Spain and Portugal to a standstill on Monday, grounding planes, halting public transport, causing panic buying and leaving the two countries scrambling to restore power to millions of homes and businesses.

Several airports, including Madrid airport, which is Spain's busiest, had no electricity, El Mundo reported. Major cities including Barcelona, Seville and Valencia were without power. Parts of France were also affected by power loss.

The massive power cut that stranded Mr Hughes triggered chaos across Spain and Portugal, and also impacted Andorra and parts of France, from about midday local time (10:00 GMT). Traffic lights shut off. Metros closed. Businesses shuttered and people joined queues to get cash as card payments did not work.