**Many struggle to find their way home amidst darkness, raising safety concerns as emergency services mobilize.**
**Massive Power Outage in Chile Leaves Millions in Darkness**
**Massive Power Outage in Chile Leaves Millions in Darkness**
**Eight million households affected, chaos ensues across Santiago as underground trains halt.**
The power cut that struck Chile on Tuesday afternoon left more than eight million households in darkness, following a failure in an electricity transmission line. In Santiago, the capital, a comprehensive suspension of the underground train system led to immediate chaos with thousands trapped in dark stations. One passenger likened the situation to being "like sardines in the dark" as they wrestled with confusion during a sudden halt.
Rescue operations were underway as firefighters worked to free those trapped in lifts. Among them was a woman in her 70s, who described kicking her lift door to attract attention, believing that she would not "die here." The dramatic rescue reflected the widespread impact of the outage, with videos showing passengers using mobile phone flashlights to navigate dark metro stations.
Metro de Santiago managed to complete the evacuation within 90 minutes, but disruptions persisted well into the evening. The public transport system struggled to adjust to the sudden loss of the metro, prompting the deployment of 150 additional buses, which proved inadequate for the sheer volume of commuters affected. Long lines formed at bus stops, with many expressing frustration as overworked buses passed by filled to capacity.
The blackout occurred at 3:00 PM local time, leading many businesses to close their doors. A Santiago shopkeeper reported that customers began leaving by 4 or 5 PM due to the outage. Traffic chaos ensued as several traffic lights failed, resulting in collisions and causing other accidents throughout the city. Citizens found themselves walking under the sweltering summer sun, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
One commuter, Sharon Ortiz, lamented the breakdown of the public transport system, recounting her delayed arrival at work after being stranded. Some individuals opted to hitch rides with lorry drivers, illustrating the desperate situation many found themselves in.
While some cafes and restaurants remained operational, many others had to shut down due to inoperative cash machines, card scanners, and refrigerators. Fantasilandia, a popular amusement park in Santiago, became a focal point of drama as numerous visitors found themselves stuck atop a rollercoaster. Despite backup generators in place, attractions were halted to ensure safety.
As evening fell, the government declared a state of emergency accompanied by a curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM in response to the circumstances. Soldiers and police forces were dispatched to maintain order amidst the chaos. Despite the troubling situation, some residents tried to find the silver lining, sharing photos of clear night skies on social media, appreciating the unobstructed view of the Milky Way sans light pollution.
Rescue operations were underway as firefighters worked to free those trapped in lifts. Among them was a woman in her 70s, who described kicking her lift door to attract attention, believing that she would not "die here." The dramatic rescue reflected the widespread impact of the outage, with videos showing passengers using mobile phone flashlights to navigate dark metro stations.
Metro de Santiago managed to complete the evacuation within 90 minutes, but disruptions persisted well into the evening. The public transport system struggled to adjust to the sudden loss of the metro, prompting the deployment of 150 additional buses, which proved inadequate for the sheer volume of commuters affected. Long lines formed at bus stops, with many expressing frustration as overworked buses passed by filled to capacity.
The blackout occurred at 3:00 PM local time, leading many businesses to close their doors. A Santiago shopkeeper reported that customers began leaving by 4 or 5 PM due to the outage. Traffic chaos ensued as several traffic lights failed, resulting in collisions and causing other accidents throughout the city. Citizens found themselves walking under the sweltering summer sun, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
One commuter, Sharon Ortiz, lamented the breakdown of the public transport system, recounting her delayed arrival at work after being stranded. Some individuals opted to hitch rides with lorry drivers, illustrating the desperate situation many found themselves in.
While some cafes and restaurants remained operational, many others had to shut down due to inoperative cash machines, card scanners, and refrigerators. Fantasilandia, a popular amusement park in Santiago, became a focal point of drama as numerous visitors found themselves stuck atop a rollercoaster. Despite backup generators in place, attractions were halted to ensure safety.
As evening fell, the government declared a state of emergency accompanied by a curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM in response to the circumstances. Soldiers and police forces were dispatched to maintain order amidst the chaos. Despite the troubling situation, some residents tried to find the silver lining, sharing photos of clear night skies on social media, appreciating the unobstructed view of the Milky Way sans light pollution.
