Massive Blackout Strikes Chile in South America
About 90% of the Country Affected at One Point
Roughly 4,300 km of Territory Paralyzed, Comparable to the Distance from Jeju to Singapore
Most Power Restored Afterwards
Curfew and National State of Emergency Lifted
On the 25th, during a large-scale blackout, a drone captured the downtown area of Concepcion, Chile. Photo by Reuters, Yonhap News.
An unprecedented large-scale blackout engulfed 90% of the territory across Chile in South America. The blackout resulted in three deaths, and the authorities declared a national state of emergency.
According to La Tercera on the 26th (local time), Carolina Toha, Chile's Minister of the Interior, stated, "It has been confirmed that three people who were highly dependent on electricity died the previous day," adding, "We are investigating how significantly the blackout contributed to their deaths." Jimena Aguilera, Chile's Minister of Health, also said regarding these three cases, "We plan to conduct a thorough audit to clearly determine responsibility."
Earlier, at 3:16 PM the previous day, power supply was cut off in most regions nationwide, from the northern city of Arica to the southern Los Lagos, including the capital Santiago. This affected about 90% of the country's total land area. Approximately 4,300 km of elongated territory, comparable in distance to the stretch from Jeju to Singapore, was effectively paralyzed. Local media reported that streetlights across the cities barely functioned, and ambulance sirens echoed throughout.
In some areas, internet and mobile phone communications also went down, and the world's largest copper mine temporarily halted operations. On social media, videos were shared showing people trapped on amusement rides dozens of meters high in a park in Santiago being rescued. Ultimately, the authorities declared a national state of emergency that night and imposed a nighttime curfew.
President Gabriel Boric strongly criticized the private power grid operators and ordered the authorities to investigate the circumstances. However, the government ruled out external attacks such as terrorism as the cause of the incident. Interior Minister Carolina Toha said, "It is presumed to be a problem caused by a transmission line failure at the Norte Chico facility in the north."
Power supply was mostly restored on the same day, centered around the metropolitan area. The national state of emergency declared the previous night was lifted at 9 AM the following day. However, with three deaths reported, the authorities are investigating the cause. It is also reported that about 200 people, including those found outside during the curfew hours, have been detained for investigation.
Chile, regarded as having the most stable power grid in South America, experienced a blackout of this scale for the first time in 15 years. Previously, after a major earthquake in February 2010, 90% of the population experienced power outages due to damage to power plants in March of the same year.
After a blackout occurred in Santiago on the 26th, a state of emergency was declared, and soldiers in military vehicles are patrolling the streets. Photo by AFP
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
