Chile Faces Nationwide Power Outage Affecting Millions

This outage highlights vulnerabilities in Chile's power infrastructure and its effects on transportation and industry.

Chile is experiencing a significant nationwide power outage that has left millions without electricity, affecting various regions across the country. The outage, which began earlier on Tuesday, has impacted a wide area, including the capital, Santiago, and spans from Arica and Parinacota in the north to Los Lagos in the south, according to reports from the Chilean National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED).

While the full extent of the outage remains uncertain, it has disrupted not only residential power but also vital industries. Notably, Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, has reportedly lost power, raising concerns about economic ramifications. In response to the outage, LATAM Airlines has indicated potential disruptions to flights, advising passengers to stay updated on their travel status.

Santiago's Metro operator announced on social media that it had temporarily suspended services due to the power failure, prompting the evacuation of stations and the closure of facilities. Footage shared from the city depicted stranded commuters having to ascend non-functioning escalators, with traffic signals also rendered inoperable. As buses continued to operate, long lines of passengers formed as they sought alternative transportation.

Maria Angelica Roman, a 45-year-old employee, expressed her frustration to AFP news agency, noting, "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."

Chile's Interior Minister, Carolina Toha, announced via social media that a meeting would be convened to deliberate on measures for restoring power services. Meanwhile, SENAPRED reported that electric companies in the affected areas are actively investigating the cause of the outage and working swiftly to restore service, with no emergencies having been reported so far.