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By Newsroom with Agencies
Millions Left in the Dark as Government Blames Private Companies
Santiago, Chile – A massive blackout plunged millions of Chileans into darkness on Tuesday, prompting President Gabriel Boric to declare a state of emergency. The outage affected approximately 19 million people, cutting power to eight million homes across the country.
In a national address, Boric expressed frustration over the failure, holding private utility companies responsible for the widespread disruption.
“What happened today is outrageous because it’s not tolerable that one or several companies impact the everyday life of millions of Chileans, and that’s why it’s the state’s duty to hold them responsible,” Boric stated.
To ensure public safety amid the crisis, the government announced a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday (0100 to 0900 GMT). Officials said the measure was necessary to maintain order, as power restoration efforts continued.
Cause of Blackout Identified
Interior Minister Carolina Toha reassured the public that the outage was not the result of an attack but rather a failure in the country’s transmission system. She urged citizens to remain calm, adding that service should be restored soon.
“I call for calm, to understand that it is a failure in the system, that we are not the object of an attack, that the service should be restored promptly,” Toha said.
Ernesto Huber, executive director of the National Electricity Coordinator, confirmed that the blackout was triggered by a fault in the high-voltage power grid in the Norte Chico region.
“The disconnection of the 500 kV double circuit in the Norte Chico area, specifically between the Vallenar and Coquimbo power stations, caused a disturbance in the national electrical system, from Arica to the Los Lagos region, resulting in the complete loss of power in the national electrical system,” Huber explained.
Impact and Emergency Measures
The outage came amid a heat wave, exacerbating concerns for residents, especially in smaller towns such as Lo Barnechea, Talagante, and La Florida, where authorities quickly arranged for emergency drinking water supplies.
The blackout also caused major transportation disruptions, with subway services being immediately evacuated to ensure passenger safety. Traffic signals were knocked out, leading to widespread congestion in major cities. The government deployed a fleet of electric buses to assist with inner-city mobility.
As the restoration process continues, officials have assured the public that they are working tirelessly to prevent similar incidents in the future. President Boric reaffirmed his commitment to holding responsible parties accountable, vowing to take action to safeguard Chile’s energy infrastructure.
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