A state of emergency has been declared in Chile due to a widespread blackout that affected approximately 8 million homes. Authorities are working to restore power, with 90% of service reinstated by Wednesday. An investigation is ongoing to determine the causes of the outage, and safety measures, including a curfew, have been implemented to maintain public order. Concerns have been raised about the reliability of electricity providers.
On Tuesday, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency following a widespread electricity blackout impacting the majority of the nation, including the capital, Santiago. The outage, occurring during the summer, affected approximately 8 million households, as announced by President Boric in an evening address.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service revealed that 14 of the 16 regions were affected by the blackout, which commenced Tuesday afternoon. Essential services, including internet and mobile communications, experienced significant disruptions, paralyzing parts of Santiago’s transport network and stranding commuters, as officials prioritized power restoration.
By Wednesday morning, the government reported that electricity had been restored for 90% of the homes and businesses affected. Nevertheless, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá indicated that approximately 220,000 customers still lacked power and assured that public transportation had returned to full operations. An investigation was announced to ascertain the causes of the outage, particularly focusing on the initial failure and the response of the system.
The National Electrical Coordinator attributed the blackout to disruptions in a high-voltage transmission line transferring power to Santiago from the Atacama Desert. President Boric condemned the situation, emphasizing his commitment to hold electricity providers accountable, stating that it was “not tolerable” for millions to be impacted.
Minister Tohá expressed that backup generators were activated at hospitals, prisons, and government facilities to maintain vital services and announced a curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday to ensure public safety. She remarked that this situation was unforeseen and underscored the priority of securing citizens.
As daily life across the nation was significantly affected, the blackout suspended public transportation and shut down several businesses. Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz reported that metro services in Santiago were temporarily halted, with workers assisting passengers in darkness. Despite the challenges, Santiago International Airport confirmed continued operation due to emergency protocols, though some flights faced disruptions.
Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported national connectivity dropped to merely 25% of normal levels, affecting communication across the country. Additionally, the authorities rescheduled a national soccer match amid these disturbances. Minister of Health Ximena Aguilera confirmed that healthcare services continued to function on generator power despite the blackout, as the crisis extended beyond Santiago to other regions including Arica, Tarapacota, Tarapacá, and others.
The recent electricity blackout in Chile, which led to a state of emergency, has profoundly impacted daily life across the nation. With the vast majority of homes affected and significant interruptions in essential services, the government has made substantial efforts to restore power and ensure public safety. Investigations are underway to determine the causes, with the President emphasizing accountability among electricity providers. The situation underscores the critical need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness in responding to large-scale disruptions.
Original Source: wsvn.com
