Massive Power Blackout Hits Chile, Prompting Emergency Measures and Curfew

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A widespread power outage in Chile has led authorities to impose a state of emergency and an overnight curfew after millions of residents were left without electricity. The blackout severely disrupted daily life, stranding commuters, disabling traffic signals, and halting business operations across the country.

According to Chile’s National Electrical Coordinator, the disruption originated from a malfunction in a high-voltage transmission line that delivers electricity from the Atacama Desert in the north to Santiago, situated in the central valley.

The agency did not disclose the precise cause of the incident, which resulted in an extensive power grid failure stretching from Arica, Chile’s northernmost port, to the agricultural region of Los Lagos in the south.

Senapred, the national disaster response organization, confirmed that an “electricity supply disruption” had triggered a “massive power outage” affecting 14 of Chile’s 16 regions. Santiago, home to 8.4 million residents, experienced significant disruptions, with subway services suspended indefinitely.

Interior Minister Carolina Tohá assured the public that critical facilities, including hospitals, prisons, and government offices, had switched to backup generators to maintain essential operations.

During a press briefing, Tohá urged citizens to remain calm, emphasizing that authorities were working urgently to restore power across the nation, which has a population of approximately 19 million.

“It’s affecting the entire electrical system of the country,” she stated, referring to the failure in the 500-kV transmission backbone.

She further noted that if power was not restored by nightfall, the government would implement emergency strategies to prevent further complications.

Saesa, one of Chile’s primary electricity providers, confirmed that the outage impacted all of its customers, affecting over a million people.

Authorities initiated evacuation efforts at darkened subway stations and tunnels in Santiago, as well as in the coastal city of Valparaíso, a major tourist destination.

Videos circulating on social media illustrated the chaos across Chile, a nation stretching over 4,300 km (2,600 miles) along the Pacific coast. Footage depicted major intersections without functional traffic lights, metro passengers relying on mobile phone flashlights, and police aiding in the evacuation of office buildings.

Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz advised residents to remain indoors, warning that it was “not a good time to go out since we have a transport system that is not operating normally.” He stated that only 27% of urban traffic signals were operational.

In addition to the blackout, mobile networks experienced service disruptions in certain areas. Meanwhile, officials at Santiago’s international airport confirmed that terminals had transitioned to emergency power, ensuring that flights continued as scheduled.