Chile has declared a state of emergency and curfew due to a massive blackout affecting millions. This blackout, likely caused by a high-voltage transmission line failure, disrupted cities, transportation, and essential services. Authorities are working to restore power, while citizens are urged to stay home amid the crisis.
On Tuesday, Chile declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in response to a massive blackout that left millions without power. The blackout, possibly due to an electrical system failure, affected much of the country, including Santiago, where Interior Minister Carolina Toha announced a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The incident disrupted commuters, disabled traffic lights, and forced businesses to shut down nationwide.
A high-voltage transmission line failure, which connects the Atacama Desert to Santiago, caused significant issues in the power grid, leaving 14 of the 16 regions impacted. Despite investigations by the National Electrical Coordinator, the exact cause of the disruption remains unknown. The power outage has paralyzed cities, including Santiago, which is home to approximately 8.4 million residents, and halted subway services until further notice.
Backup generators are being utilized in hospitals, prisons, and government facilities to maintain essential services. Toha has urged citizens to remain calm while officials work to restore power across the country of around 19 million inhabitants. Affected electricity distributor Saesa reported that all of its customers experienced outages.
The breakdown has led to evacuations in darkened tunnels and subway stations in cities like Santiago and Valparaiso. Social media footage revealed chaotic conditions at intersections and commuters using mobile phones as light sources in the metro. Transport Minister Juan Carlos Munoz emphasized the importance of staying at home due to impaired transport systems with only 27% of traffic lights functioning.
Mobile phone services also experienced outages in various areas. Emergency protocols were activated at Santiago International Airport to enable basic flight operations under emergency power.
The massive blackout in Chile has resulted in a national crisis, sparking a state of emergency and a curfew. The cause of the blackout remains uncertain, but the situation has severely disrupted daily life, from transportation to essential services. Officials are working diligently to restore power and maintain safety during this challenging time. The incident highlights the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure and the importance of emergency preparedness.
Original Source: www.thestandard.com.hk
