Major power outage in Chile: 90% of the country left in darkness due to a massive power failure

A massive power outage leaves 90% of Chile without electricity. Authorities are investigating the causes of the power failure while thousands of citizens are affected.

A power outage left millions of Chileans without electricity, paralyzing transportation, communications and daily life. The government declared a state of emergency and a curfew as authorities investigate the power grid failure.

A massive blackout left 90% of Chile without electricity on Tuesday, leaving millions of people affected from Arica to the Los Lagos region. Electricity companies are working against the clock to restore service after the collapse that has paralyzed transport, also cutting off mobile communications and halting daily life in much of the country.

The power outage, which surprised authorities due to its magnitude, led the government to declare a state of emergency and a mandatory nightly curfew until 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday. "Our priority is to guarantee the safety of people," said Interior Minister Carolina Tohá, announcing the exceptional measures. Thousands of soldiers were deployed to maintain order and enforce restrictions.

Impact of the blackout in Chile: chaos and suspension of services
The power failure left a large part of the population without mobile phone service, paralyzed the largest copper mine in the world and caused water cuts due to the stoppage of electric pumps. Hospitals and public offices resorted to emergency generators to remain operational.

Seven hours after the start of the blackout, the light began to return intermittently in some areas, accompanied by cheers in the streets. According to President Gabriel Boric, about half of the 8 million affected homes recovered the supply by 11:00 p.m. "What happened today is outrageous. It is not acceptable that one or several companies affect the daily life of millions of Chileans," Boric said in a televised message.

What caused the massive blackout in Chile?
The National Electric Coordinator, in charge of the Chilean electrical grid, explained that the problem began with a fault in a high-voltage transmission line that connects the Atacama Desert with Santiago.

According to Juan Carlos Olmedo, president of the organization, the incident triggered a chain reaction of power surges and plant shutdowns, resulting in a blackout that affected 90% of the country's 19 million inhabitants. Although the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have ruled out a cyber attack or criminal activity.

Consequences throughout the country
The blackout transformed Chilean routine into widespread chaos: traffic lights turned off, trains stopped, ATMs out of service and fuel stations inoperative. Sporting events, classes and concerts were cancelled, while police and civilians collaborated to direct traffic.

In Santiago de Chile, a city of 8.4 million inhabitants, the subway suspended its operations until further notice, leaving multitudes of people trapped in underground cars and stations.

"Everything stopped, there is chaos," lamented Jorge Calderón, a writer and resident of the capital. Videos on social media showed confusion on Chilean streets, with people using their cell phones as flashlights and police evacuating buildings in regions such as Valparaíso.

Government and business response
The national emergency service, Senapred, reported that 14 of the country's 16 regions suffered power outages. Minister Tohá assured that hospitals, prisons and public buildings are maintaining their functions thanks to backup generators.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transport, Juan Carlos Muñoz, asked the population to avoid going out: "It is not a good time to move around, the transport system is not working normally."

At Santiago International Airport, the terminals are operating with emergency power, although some flights could be delayed. In the mining industry, key for Chile, giants such as Codelco, the largest copper producer in the world, reported partial suspensions in their operations.

A country on pause
Chile, a nation that stretches for more than 4,300 kilometers along the Pacific, now faces the challenge of returning to normality after this unexpected blackout that has left the country on pause.

With the heat of the southern summer and the dependence on electricity for fans and air conditioning, citizens await answers while authorities promise to thoroughly investigate the failures of the electrical system