A massive blackout in Chile affected millions, causing significant disruptions in Santiago. Footage captured the celebration of residents as power returned. By Wednesday, most electricity had been restored, but the outage led to several deaths and 200+ arrests. President Boric called for accountability from energy companies as the government declared a state of emergency.
Video footage emerged showing the moment electricity returned to Santiago, Chile, after a nationwide blackout left millions in darkness on Tuesday. Residents cheered as their homes lit back up, celebrating what was described as the worst power outage in 15 years. A bystander noted the enthusiasm in celebrations resembling a World Cup victory, highlighting the relief felt by many.
As of Wednesday morning, over 94% of electricity had been restored, with about 370,000 customers still without power, primarily in northern regions. Luis Cordero, Undersecretary of the Interior, mentioned the restoration faced instability after midnight. The blackout reportedly resulted in at least three deaths and over 200 arrests, as confirmed by Interior Minister Carolina Tohá.
The blackout began at 3:16 PM due to a transmission failure in the Norte Chico region, affecting upwards of 19 million people. By 10 PM, a quarter of the electrical grid had been reactivated. President Gabriel Boric announced that approximately 8 million homes experienced outages and emphasized the need for accountability from the companies responsible for the incident, specifically targeting Isa InterChile, part of the Colombian energy provider Interconexión Eléctrica.
A state of emergency was declared, including curfews in many areas, like Santiago, to manage unrest. The outage led to significant disruptions, including public transport cancellations and stranded amusement park visitors. Backup generators were used to assist customers stuck on cycles at the Fantasilandia amusement park, showcasing the chaos following the blackout.
This incident caused widespread traffic issues, as the public transit systems were non-functional, forcing residents to find alternative travel methods. The significant scale of the blackout and its consequences emphasize the critical need for reliable energy infrastructure in Chile.
Additionally, this situation reveals the importance of regulatory oversight on energy providers to prevent future occurrences. In light of these events, swift government action and accountability measures are being advocated to ensure safety and restoration of services for all citizens affected by the power failure.
The recent blackout in Chile resulted in widespread chaos, affecting millions and prompting a strong response from officials. President Boric emphasized the need for accountability from energy providers, while immediate steps were taken to manage the fallout, including a state of emergency. This incident highlights the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the urgent need for regulatory measures to safeguard against future outages.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
