Nationwide Power Outage Strands Millions in Chile

A massive power outage hit Chile, affecting major cities including Santiago and disrupting daily life for millions.

A substantial nationwide blackout has struck Chile, leaving millions of citizens without electricity and significantly impacting urban activities, particularly in the capital city of Santiago. The outage, which initiated earlier on Tuesday, spans from the northern regions of Arica and Parinacota to the southern region of Los Lagos, according to the national disaster response service (SENAPRED).

The scale of the outage is still unclear but has led to widespread disruptions, as reported by the Reuters news agency. Notably, the world's largest copper mine, Escondida, has lost power, affecting operations there. LATAM Airlines has announced possible flight disruptions due to the blackout and is advising passengers to verify their travel status.

In Santiago, the metro system has halted operations, with operators posting updates on X regarding the evacuation and closure of stations. Video footage shows commuters navigating dark stations while climbing stationary escalators as traffic lights across the city also remain inoperative.

Maria Angelica Roman, a local worker, expressed her frustration to the AFP news agency, 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."

Chile's interior minister, Carolina Toha, has indicated that an emergency meeting is in the works to assess the situation and devise restoration plans. SENAPRED confirmed that electricity companies are working to identify the cause of the outage and restore service, with no major emergencies reported so far.