A major blackout has swept across Chile, affecting over 80% of the country’s electric supply, causing chaos and significant disruption to everyday life. The black-out began at 3:16 PM local time on [date], plunging cities like Santiago and Valparaiso, among others,into darkness, and forcing local authorities to take emergency measures.
The transportation system bore the brunt of this crisis, with the Santiago Metro suspending all operations, stranding thousands of commuters. Emergency services were deployed, and the evacuation of passengers from metro stations began just over half an hour after the blackout started. By 3:50 PM, Metro officials confirmed they were actively working to evacuate people safely from various underground stations.
To manage the crisis, President Gabriel Boric moved quickly to monitor the emergency response. He visited the police’s operations center to oversee the situation. The government also convened the National Disaster Prevention Service (Senapred), highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
“The measure goes from the region of Arica and Parinacota to Los Lagos,” stated Interior Minister Carolina Tohá, who also announced curfews to maintain order during the blackout. The restrictions would last from 10 PM until 6 AM the following day.
“The main concern we have is providing safety to the people,” Tohá emphasized during live broadcasts on major news networks, stressing the government's commitment to public safety amid the turmoil.
The situation was tense as night fell across the capital, leaving many residents uneasy about safety and access to necessary services. Reports indicated authorities were deploying additional police forces across the affected regions to maintain order and assist with evacuation efforts, with Deputy Interior Minister Luis Cordero assuring the public, “The forces deployed are sufficient to control the situation.”
Local authorities confirmed the arduous task of evacuations was underway from various metro stations and tunnels as officials tried to prioritize the safety of commuters. “We are evacuations happening from the tunnels and stations of the metro,” they stated, emphasizing their proactive stance following the blackout.
Officials have also ruled out the possibility of sabotage or terrorist attacks as the cause of the blackout, attributing the crisis to unforeseen failures within the electrical supply system. “We can rule out any attacks or sabotage, attributing the situation to system failure,” noted local officials after preliminary assessments.
This blackout marks one of the most significant electrical failures the country has seen in the last 15 years. The vast disruption to daily life has led to scrutiny of Chile’s electrical infrastructure, known for being one of the most reliable systems within the region but now facing harsh criticism.
Public reaction has ranged from confusion to anger, as residents grapple with the impact of losing electricity, heating, and reliable transportation for the foreseeable future. “People are understandably upset,” said a Santiago resident, echoing the sentiments of many struggling with the outage.
With millions of Chileans affected, the government’s response will likely set the tone for how officials manage future crises. President Boric’s administration faces mounting pressure to restore power and safeguard public safety as the situation evolves.
For now, Chileans are left watching the skies and waiting for power to be restored, hoping this blackout will be resolved swiftly. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, promising transparency and updates as they navigate this unprecedented emergency.