OSLO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Danish people are being urged to improve their home preparedness after widespread blackouts hit Spain and Portugal, Denmark's Minister for Resilience and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen said Tuesday.
"The images we have seen of how things could develop emphasize the need to, for example, have a 72-hour home emergency response," Pedersen told Danish broadcaster DR.
The minister stressed that households should stock essential supplies, such as drinking water and canned food, sufficient for at least three days.
A massive blackout swept across Spain and Portugal on Monday, leaving large parts of both countries without electricity and causing widespread disruption.
Earlier on Tuesday, Danish emergency services warned that the country would face major challenges if hit by a similar power failure.
Nevertheless, Pedersen maintained that Denmark has "good preparedness and a robust society," but emphasized that "reality is changing."
To strengthen crisis response efforts, the National Operational Staff, a coordination body comprising various national agencies including the police, intelligence services, defense forces, and health authorities, is scheduled to meet later Tuesday. Discussions will include how Denmark can draw lessons from the blackouts in Spain and Portugal.
"We have the greatest interest in ensuring that all authorities are as well-prepared as possible for the task," Pedersen said. ■
