Chile Faces Widespread Power Outage: Chaos Ensues in Santiago

On Tuesday afternoon, a significant electricity failure plunged more than eight million households in Chile into darkness, halting the Santiago metro and causing chaos in the capital. Passengers described frantic situations, while businesses struggled to cope without power, leading to widespread frustration and inconvenience.

A significant power outage struck Chile on Tuesday afternoon, rendering over eight million households without electricity and sending shockwaves through the capital, Santiago. The failure of an electricity transmission line prompted an immediate suspension of the underground train system, causing thousands of commuters to navigate their way back home in the dark.

Passengers on the stalled metro trains shared harrowing experiences. “We were stuck like sardines in the dark,” one rider recounted, reflecting the distress many faced underground. Firefighters were deployed to rescue individuals trapped in lifts within metro stations, with one woman in her 70s expressing relief after being freed. She had resorted to kicking the lift doors and screaming for help, demonstrating unwavering bravery during her ordeal.

The evacuation of the metro progressed over a span of 90 minutes post-outage, but the chaos extended well beyond that timeframe. Despite the operation of additional buses, the already strained transport system struggled to manage the enormous surge in demand. Long lines formed at bus stops, and many commuters, including office workers, were left frustrated as packed buses bypassed them.

Local businesses also felt the impact as shopkeepers reported temporary closures due to the outage, resulting in many customers leaving early. “People started packing up around 4 or 5 PM,” said one store owner, emphasizing the rapid response to the outage. Essential services faced further disruptions as traffic lights malfunctioned, contributing to multiple accidents on the city’s congested streets.

With temperatures soaring to approximately 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), pedestrians began to fill the roads. One young waitress relayed her experience of arriving two hours late for work, after navigating through heavy foot traffic. Others resorted to hitchhiking on trucks to find passage amid the turmoil.

Public attractions and eateries grappled with operational challenges; many restaurants remained open to offer respite to stranded individuals, while others shuttered due to malfunctioning payment and refrigeration systems. The power outage also affected Fantasilandia amusement park in Santiago, which saw guests stranded atop its rides when the backup generators failed to immediately restore power.

As night fell, the Chilean government announced a state of emergency, enforcing a curfew from 10 PM until 6 AM to maintain order amid the escalating situation. The military and police were deployed to assist during this challenging time.

Despite the chaos, some citizens found solace in the unexpected opportunity to view the night sky unhindered by city lights, sharing photos of the Milky Way on social platforms as a reminder of nature’s beauty even in the face of adversity.