A major power outage struck Chile on Tuesday, affecting millions and disrupting mining operations. A curfew was imposed as authorities work to restore power, which is gradually returning in some regions. The cause was linked to a transmission line failure, with no cyber-attack suspected. Public services faced significant disruption, but officials anticipate restoring power soon.
On Tuesday, a significant power outage affected extensive areas of Chile, disrupting mining operations in the country which is the world’s leading copper producer. Millions of residents, especially in Santiago, experienced blackouts as electricity supply was cut. Ernesto Huber, head of Chile’s National Electricity Coordinator (CEN), confirmed that restoration efforts were underway, but no specific timeline was given for full recovery. Some areas, particularly in the north and south, began to regain power as emergency services mobilized.
At 8 p.m. local time, a state of emergency was declared, instituting a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected regions. Huber noted that activation of several power stations, primarily hydroelectric, was in progress. CEN is still probing the root cause of the outage, with further updates planned. Notably, mining companies, including Escondida and Codelco, reported significant impacts from the outage, as all their mines were affected by the blackout.
The outage’s impact spanned from the northern Arica and Parinacota region to the southern Los Lagos region, although no emergency situations had been identified. The DGAC Civil Aviation Authority reported normal operations at Santiago’s Arturo Merino International Airport, while LATAM Airlines cautioned that some flights might be impacted. Witnesses described streets in the capital as chaotic, lacking operational streetlights and with emergency vehicles sounding sirens in response. The Santiago Metro system halted operations, and passengers were evacuated from stranded trains.
Jose Luis Orlandini, a local resident, expressed frustration about the blackout’s impact, stating, “There’s nothing. There’s no cash. No money. Nothing.” Efforts are being made by electricity transmission companies to determine the cause of the outage and restore services promptly. Chile’s Interior Minister, Carolina Toha, attributed the outage to a transmission line failure in the north, ruling out any cyber-attack involvement. She expressed optimism for a resolution, stating, “We hope that what we’ve been told will happen, that in the next few hours we’ll have electrical service back.”
The significant power outage in Chile has left millions without electricity, impacting vital industries and major urban areas. While efforts to restore power are being implemented, a curfew has been enforced to maintain order during this crisis. Authorities continue to investigate the cause, with a decline in emergency reports indicating possible control over the situation. Restoration of services is expected soon, reflecting ongoing government and industry collaboration.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
