Chile declared a state of emergency following a significant blackout affecting most of the country. The outage, impacting approximately 8 million homes, led to widespread disruption, including public transport shutdowns in Santiago. Recovery efforts have restored power to 90% of affected areas, with investigations underway to determine the cause. Public safety measures, including a curfew, were implemented.
A state of emergency has been declared in Chile following a significant blackout that affected the majority of the country, including the capital, Santiago. President Gabriel Boric announced that approximately 8 million homes were impacted by the outage, which occurred during the hot summer months when temperatures in Santiago reach around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The blackout began on Tuesday afternoon, leading to disruptions across 14 of the nation’s 16 regions.
As a result of the blackout, internet and mobile phone services were rendered inoperable, and significant parts of Santiago’s transport infrastructure were suspended, leaving many commuters stranded. By Wednesday, the Chilean National Electric Coordinator reported that power had been restored to 90% of homes and businesses affected, although around 220,000 customers remained without electricity.
Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed in a press briefing that many public transport services had resumed, and the government plans to lift the state of emergency soon. She also stated that an investigation has commenced to determine the cause of the outage, underscoring the need to differentiate between the initial failure and the subsequent system response.
The National Electrical Coordinator identified a disruption in a high-voltage transmission line, which carries electricity from northern Chile to Santiago, as the initial cause of the blackout; however, details about the cause remain unclear. President Boric criticized electricity companies for their handling of the situation, declaring that accountability will be enforced following thorough investigations.
In response to ensure public safety during the outage, authorities implemented a curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile, essential services in hospitals and government buildings continued to operate on backup generators, and the national gendarmerie was deployed to maintain security and assist with traffic during the crisis. Minister Tohá emphasized that ensuring public safety was the government’s primary concern.
The blackout caused widespread disruption, leading to halted public transport and business operations. Metro services in Santiago were suspended, and passengers were evacuated in the dark. Connectivity nationwide dropped to only 25% of normal levels according to monitoring groups. Furthermore, several public events, including a soccer match, were postponed due to the blackout.
In summary, a widespread blackout in Chile prompted the declaration of a state of emergency by President Gabriel Boric. The outage affected 8 million homes, disrupted essential services, and led to significant public transportation halts. Emergency measures were implemented to restore order and safety, while investigations into the outage’s cause have begun. The restoration of power and services is ongoing, although the situation remains under scrutiny to prevent future incidents.
Original Source: wsvn.com
