Chile has declared a state of emergency due to a massive blackout impacting millions. The outage, the worst in over a decade, caused significant disruptions in transportation, leading to a curfew initiated by President Gabriel Boric. The Interior Minister ruled out sabotage, suggesting operational failures were to blame, with restoration efforts quickly underway.
Chile has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in several regions, including Santiago, following a significant blackout that affected millions. This unprecedented power outage, described as the worst in over a decade, caused chaos, particularly in Santiago, where thousands had to evacuate the metro and struggle for space on crowded buses.
In a national address, President Gabriel Boric announced the state of emergency due to the catastrophic event, implementing a curfew from 10 PM on Tuesday to 6 AM on Wednesday. The blackout impacted a vast area from Arica in the north to Los Lagos in the south, affecting more than 90% of Chile’s population, roughly 20 million people.
Interior Minister Carolina Toha confirmed that the power loss was not caused by sabotage but likely resulted from operational failures within the electrical system. The outage began around 3:16 PM during the southern hemisphere summer, and there are expectations that power will be restored in the coming hours.
Commuters faced significant challenges due to non-operational traffic lights, causing severe traffic congestion, with many people walking for hours in high temperatures to reach home. Local businesses closed early due to the power cut, leaving workers stranded as public transport became overcrowded, leading to frustrations.
Emergency services were active, with firefighters rescuing individuals trapped in elevators and others stuck on amusement rides. Hospitals and prisons managed the crisis using emergency generators. President Boric conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas to monitor the situation.
Unlike other nations, such as Cuba, which have faced frequent blackouts, Chile is known for its reliable power network and had not experienced such a significant blackout in over fifteen years. The last major outage occurred following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in 2010, underscoring the rarity of the current blackout.
In summary, Chile’s recent state of emergency and curfew stem from a severe blackout affecting millions and causing widespread transportation and operational disruptions. While the government has taken immediate steps to restore order and ensure public safety, the incident reflects on the importance of a stable power supply in the nation, contrasting with recent outages experienced in other countries.
Original Source: www.news.com.au
