A major power outage struck parts of Södermalm and Gamla stan in Stockholm on Monday evening, leaving over 20,000 customers without electricity for nearly three hours. Power was restored just after 9:45 p.m. following manual repairs. The cause was a technical fault in a power cable.
The power outage began at 7:10 p.m. on October 27, 2025, just as the soccer match between Hammarby and Malmö FF was about to start. According to Ellevio, 20,772 customers in eastern Södermalm and half of Gamla stan were affected, with street and traffic lights going out. The grid's automatic switchover failed, requiring staff to perform manual interventions at a station.
Jonatan Björck, Ellevio spokesperson, described it as a technical fault in a power cable that occasionally occurs in power grids, with no external influence. "It is a technical fault that happens in a power grid from time to time," he said. Power returned at 9:45 p.m., with cheers at Medborgarplatsen as lights came on.
Several witnesses described the chaos. Fredrik Jungstedt, 37, was at Brother Tuck bar on Götgatan and said: "It's quite cozy here," while patrons watched the match on mobile phones. Kerstin Folco, 63, in Södermalm saw dark streets and people using phone flashlights. Patrik Karolak was eating at a restaurant on Folkkungagatan when everything went black, and Mathias Folchi was watching an SVT series.
The rescue service handled calls about stuck elevators. Henrik Jynnesjö, rescue commander, said: "We are there opening up and releasing people who are stuck." ICA Kvantum in Södermalm was evacuated, according to store manager Marcus. About 3,500 Tele2 customers in Södermalm experienced issues with internet and TV, as network equipment lacked stable power, per communications chief Mariana Prieto Abarca.
The subway was unaffected, and Södersjukhuset hospital avoided disruptions. Police reported no related incidents.