A sweeping blackout has hit Chile, stranding commuters, paralyzing countless businesses and leaving most of the South American nation without electricity.
A sweeping blackout struck Chile on Tuesday, stranding commuters, disrupting traffic, halting businesses, and leaving millions without power across the nation.
The National Electrical Coordinator, Chile’s grid operator, reported a failure in a high-voltage transmission line that transports power from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile to Santiago in the central valley. However, the exact cause of the disruption that led to the extensive power outage remains unknown. The blackout affected regions from the northern port city of Arica to the agricultural hub of Los Lagos in the south.
Chile’s national disaster response agency, Senapred, confirmed that a "disruption in the supply of electricity" had triggered a "massive power outage" across 14 of the country's 16 regions, including Santiago, home to approximately 8.4 million people. Authorities announced the suspension of subway services in the capital until further notice.
Interior Minister Carolina Tohá stated that hospitals, prisons, and government buildings had switched to backup generators to maintain essential operations. During a press conference, Tohá urged the public to remain calm, assuring that officials were working urgently to restore power nationwide.
“This is affecting the entire electrical system of the country,” she said, referring to the failure of the 500-kV backbone transmission line. She warned that if power was not fully restored by sunset, the government would implement emergency measures to mitigate the crisis.
One of Chile’s main electricity distributors, Saesa, which serves over a million people, confirmed that all its customers had been impacted by the outage.
Authorities began evacuating passengers from darkened subway tunnels and stations in Santiago and other cities, including the coastal tourist destination of Valparaiso. Videos on social media captured scenes of chaos, with non-functioning traffic lights causing confusion at intersections, people using mobile phone flashlights to navigate underground metro stations, and police officers assisting in office evacuations.
Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz advised residents to stay home, warning that "it’s not a good time to go out since the transport system is not operating normally." He noted that only 27% of city traffic lights were functional.
Mobile phone services also experienced disruptions in parts of the country. Meanwhile, Santiago International Airport authorities reported switching to emergency power to ensure flight operations continued without interruption.
Mexico, Chile and Uruguay have suspended poultry imports from Brazil after the country reported its first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial farm, Brazilian officials reported.
A massive undersea quake near Antarctica triggered tsunami alerts, prompting Chile to order evacuations along its southern coast.
Chile declares state of emergency and curfew after massive power outage disrupts the country.
A kayaker had a terrifying close call off the coast of southern Chile when a humpback whale briefly scooped him up in its mouth before spitting him out unharmed.
Wildfires in Chile’s Araucania region have left one person dead and over 40 homeless. Authorities warn the situation remains critical.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
During his visit to Azerbaijan on May 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commemorated historical and cultural connections between the two countries by visiting symbolic landmarks in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discuss ongoing efforts for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a joint press conference.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Former midfielder Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Real Madrid’s new head coach on a three-year contract, returning to the club where he won multiple titles as a player.
Poland’s ruling party holds a "patriotic march" in Warsaw on Sunday, just days before the second round of the presidential elections.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
During his visit to Azerbaijan on May 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commemorated historical and cultural connections between the two countries by visiting symbolic landmarks in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discuss ongoing efforts for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a joint press conference.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment