A significant power outage has struck Chile, affecting 14 out of the country’s 16 regions, including the capital city of Santiago and its surrounding areas, as reported by the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred). The blackout has caused disruptions, leading to the suspension of metro services in Santiago, with passengers being evacuated, according to Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz. Flights operating out of Santiago International Airport are running smoothly using backup systems, although Chile’s LATAM Airlines has indicated that some flights may experience delays.
As of now, no emergency situations have been reported due to the power outage, as confirmed by Senapred. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá Morales stated that a transmission line failure in the Chilean electrical system is responsible for the widespread interruption affecting “a large part of the country.” To address the situation, the Disaster Risk Management Committee is convening an emergency meeting to assess the extent of the blackout. Tohá Morales expressed her hope that services will be restored within the next few hours, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to resolve the issue promptly.
The National Electrical Coordinator, an independent entity overseeing the operation of Chile’s electrical system, has initiated a service recovery plan to expedite power restoration. Concurrently, Tohá Morales announced the deployment of the national gendarmerie force to reinforce security measures on the streets and aid traffic management. The government is also evaluating backup power systems in hospitals and prisons to ensure essential services are maintained during the blackout.
In addition to Santiago, regions such as Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, AraucanÃa, ValparaÃso, O’Higgins, Maule, BiobÃo, Los Lagos, Los RÃos, and Ñuble have been affected by the power outage. The outage comes at a time of mid-summer in Chile, with temperatures in Santiago hovering around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
This remains a developing situation, and further updates will be provided. For the latest CNN news and newsletters, please register an account at CNN.com.
