A large-scale power outage has swept across Chile, leaving millions without electricity. According to the national service for disaster prevention and response (SENAPRED), the outage spans from Arica and Parinacota in the north to Los Lagos in the south, affecting virtually all regions of the country, including the capital city, Santiago.
The outage began earlier on Tuesday, but the full extent of the disruption has yet to be assessed. Reuters has reported that this blackout is also affecting Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, illustrating the significant impact on major industries.
In Santiago, the city's metro services have been temporarily halted, and evacuation procedures were implemented as stations were closed. Eyewitness footage shows commuters making their way up non-operational escalators, while city traffic signals ceased functioning, leading to halted traffic and crowded bus stops.
Maria Angelica Roman, a 45-year-old worker, expressed her concerns to AFP, 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 to the crisis, Chile's interior minister, Carolina Toha, announced plans to convene a meeting to address the restoration of power services. SENAPRED has confirmed that electricity companies are working diligently to identify the fault and restore electricity across the affected areas.
