A blackout in Chile prompted a state of emergency as President Gabriel Boric reported 8 million affected homes. The outage impacted 14 of 16 regions and saw power mostly restored by Wednesday, although issues persisted for some customers. Investigations into the cause of the blackout are ongoing, with government responses including curfews and backup systems for essential services.
A state of emergency has been declared in Chile following a significant blackout that left much of the country, including the capital Santiago, in darkness. President Gabriel Boric reported that approximately 8 million homes were affected, coinciding with the peak summer temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The blackout, which began on Tuesday afternoon, impacted 14 of the 16 regions in Chile, disrupting daily life and essential services.
By Wednesday, the Chilean government announced that 90% of the affected homes and businesses had their power restored, according to the Chilean National Electric Coordinator. Nevertheless, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed that 220,000 customers still remained without electricity, although public transportation services had been fully restored. An investigation into the cause of the outage has been launched.
The National Electrical Coordinator indicated that a high-voltage transmission line connecting the Atacama Desert to Santiago was disrupted, though the exact cause of this disruption was not provided. President Boric emphasized the need for accountability, asserting that the effects of the blackout on citizens were unacceptable and promising to investigate the electricity companies involved.
Essential services such as hospitals and prisons switched to backup generators to maintain operations. In response to the situation, a curfew was imposed from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday to ensure public safety. Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz reported that metro services in Santiago were suspended and evacuations were conducted in darkness as passengers were guided to safety.
The blackout also severely affected internet connectivity across the nation, reducing access to approximately 25% of normal levels. Flight operations at Santiago International Airport continued due to emergency systems, but some flights may have been affected. Events, including a soccer match in the Copa Chile tournament, were postponed due to the outage.
Additionally, regions beyond Santiago, such as Arica, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and others, also experienced the blackout, illustrating the widespread impact of this incident on the country.
The blackout in Chile led to a state of emergency as millions were plunged into darkness, reflecting significant vulnerabilities in the electrical infrastructure. While a majority of power was restored shortly after, ongoing service issues remain, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the causes. The government is enforcing safety measures and ensuring essential services continue to operate amid this crisis.
Original Source: wsvn.com
