A significant power outage has struck Chile, leaving millions stranded without electricity. According to the national service for disaster prevention and response (SENAPRED), the blackout has impacted regions from Arica and Parinacota in the north down to Los Lagos in the south, including the capital, Santiago.
The outage began earlier on Tuesday, and while the exact extent remains unclear, reports indicate that the world's largest copper mine, Escondida, has also been left powerless, citing sources close to the situation. LATAM Airlines announced potential disruptions to flights as passengers are advised to check for updates.
The Santiago Metro operator posted on X, confirming that service is temporarily suspended due to the outage, necessitating the evacuation of stations. Footage from Santiago captured commuters walking up escalators that were disabled, while traffic signals were non-functional, leading to chaos on the roads. Long lines for buses, the only running transport, formed as frustrated citizens sought to navigate their way home.
Maria Angelica Roman, a 45-year-old Santiago resident, expressed her concerns, stating, "They let us leave work because of the power cut, but now I don't know how we will get home because all the buses are full."
In response, Chile's interior minister, Carolina Toha, tweeted that a meeting would be held to address the situation and coordinate restoration efforts. Meanwhile, SENAPRED reported that electricity companies are actively investigating the cause of the outage and working to reinstate power, with no emergencies currently reported.
