A state of emergency has been declared in Chile following a massive blackout affecting around 8 million homes. The outage, primarily impacting Santiago, prompted swift government action, with power being restored to 90%. However, ongoing issues keep 220,000 customers without electricity, leading to an investigation into the causes. Essential services remain operational through backup power as authorities manage public safety amid disruptions.
On Tuesday, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency following a major blackout that left most of the country, including the capital Santiago, in darkness. The outage affected approximately 8 million homes during the summer months when temperatures reach around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service reported that 14 out of 16 regions in Chile experienced significant power loss, which occurred in the afternoon.
As of Wednesday, the Chilean National Electric Coordinator indicated that power had been restored to 90% of homes and businesses impacted by the blackout. However, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed that 220,000 customers remained without electricity. While public transport services returned to 100% functionality, Tohá emphasized that an investigation into the cause of the outage had commenced. “One thing is the original failure that the company had…and another thing is how that system responds once the incident occurs,” she stated.
The National Electrical Coordinator explained that the blackout was caused by a disruption in a high-voltage transmission line. In response to the outage, President Boric aimed to “guarantee the safety” of citizens by enacting measures such as an overnight curfew. He expressed dissatisfaction with electricity companies, asserting that it was “not tolerable” for millions to be affected.
Authorities activated backup generators at hospitals, prisons, and government buildings to maintain essential services. The national gendarmerie was deployed to ensure security and manage traffic flow. Transport difficulties were evident as metro services in Santiago, which serves about 8 million residents, were suspended, prompting the evacuation of passengers from underground stations.
Internet connectivity plummeted to just 25% of normal levels, according to the watchdog NetBlocks. In addition, a soccer match in the Copa Chile tournament was postponed due to the outage. The blackout affected various regions including Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Biobío, contributing to widespread disruption across the nation.
In summary, Chile is facing significant challenges due to a large-scale power outage that affected millions of homes. While a majority of services have been restored, the government continues to address residual outages and investigate the underlying causes. The declarations of emergency measures and the deployment of backup systems underscore the urgency to maintain public safety during this crisis.
Original Source: wsvn.com
