A significant power outage paralyzed Chile on Tuesday, leading to transportation chaos and disruptions across the country as residents grappled with the fallout.
**Massive Power Outage Grips Chile: Citizens Left in the Dark Amid Festival Suspension**
**Massive Power Outage Grips Chile: Citizens Left in the Dark Amid Festival Suspension**
Over eight million people in Chile experience sudden power loss, causing chaos in Santiago’s transport and services.
A sudden failure of an electricity transmission line struck Chile on Tuesday afternoon, leading to a massive power outage that affected over eight million households. The capital city, Santiago, was particularly hard-hit, where the entire underground metro system was suspended almost immediately following the incident. With stations plunged into darkness, many passengers found themselves stranded in the underground trains. "We were trapped like sardines in the dark," reflected one commuter stuck in the chaos.
Some passengers trapped in lifts had to be rescued by firefighters, and one woman in her 70s, stuck between floors, expressed her relief upon escape, revealing that she had kicked the lift door and screamed for help. "I'm brave, I told myself 'I'm not going to die here'," she recounted. As darkness overtook the metro, videos circulated on social media showing commuters using their cell phone flashlights to navigate their way out.
Metro de Santiago reported that the evacuation was completed approximately 90 minutes after the outage, but the disruptions continued to impact the city for hours. The authorities deployed 150 extra buses to compensate for the metro closure, but the demand far exceeded availability, leading to frustration among stranded commuters. Long lines formed at bus stops as many workers were sent home early due to the widespread consequences of the outage.
Santiago’s traffic was further complicated by malfunctioning traffic lights, resulting in accidents amidst gridlock. Those fortunate enough to escape being stuck in public transport found it challenging to reach their destinations, with some opting to walk home in sweltering summer temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). “The public transport system has collapsed,” lamented a local waitress.
Businesses across the city faced significant challenges. While some restaurants remained open to provide refuge for weary travelers, many others had to close due to the failure of cash machines and refrigeration systems. The power cut also affected Fantasilandia, a popular amusement park, where patrons found themselves stranded atop rides as backup generators didn't function immediately for safety reasons. Hospitals were operational thanks to emergency generators, ensuring critical services remained available.
By evening, the government declared a state of emergency and enforced a nightly curfew. Security forces were deployed across the city to maintain order amid the chaos. Despite the circumstances, some Chileans managed to find silver linings, with various social media posts highlighting the visibility of the night sky unhindered by light pollution.
