Power Restored Following Chile’s Major Blackout Amid Transport Chaos

A massive blackout in Chile on Tuesday left millions without power, prompting a state of emergency and curfew. President Gabriel Boric criticized private power companies for their failures. By Wednesday morning, most power was restored, but transport chaos ensued, leading to early business closures and evacuees stranded in the capital Santiago.

Chilean authorities successfully restored power to most homes early Wednesday following a significant blackout that affected millions. The disruption, which began Tuesday afternoon, prompted President Gabriel Boric to declare a state of emergency and curfew across a vast area, including the capital Santiago where public transport was severely affected.

President Boric attributed the blackout to failures by private companies managing the power grid, emphasizing the impact on daily life for many citizens. “This is outrageous! The daily life of millions of Chileans can’t be impacted like this by companies that don’t do their job,” he stated after the incident.

By early Wednesday, 90 percent of electricity consumption had been restored, as reported by the power system operator. The blackout stretched across regions from Arica to Los Lagos, impacting more than 90 percent of Chile’s population of 20 million. Consequently, the transportation sector faced chaos, with thousands evacuated from metros and overflowing buses.

Interior Minister Carolina Toha addressed the situation, dismissing sabotage claims and suggesting it was likely a system malfunction instead. The metro company made efforts to ensure safe evacuations as the situation escalated, with many traffic lights out of service, resulting in severe congestion.

During the blackout, businesses closed early and many workers were left stranded due to overcrowded transport. For instance, Maria Angelica Roman, a worker in Santiago, expressed her frustration over the chaos caused by the power cut. Emergency services managed to assist individuals who became trapped, including an elderly woman rescued from an elevator.

In conclusion, the massive blackout in Chile led to widespread disruption, prompting emergency measures and a swift restoration of power to most homes. President Boric criticized the power companies for their shortcomings, while officials ruled out sabotage as a cause. The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of even advanced power networks in times of systemic failure.

Original Source: www.thestandard.com.hk