A nationwide power outage plunged Chile into chaos on Tuesday, cutting electricity for millions from Arica to Los Lagos. Commuters faced stranded vehicles, businesses shuttered, and critical services halted as authorities scrambled to address the unprecedented energy crisis.
Chile’s National Disaster Response Service (Senapred) confirmed the “massive power outage” affected over a dozen regions.
“A disruption in the supply of electricity triggered this emergency,”the agency stated, without specifying the cause. Santiago’s subway system suspended operations indefinitely, while Saesa, a major electricity distributor, reported outages across all customer zones.
Key impacts include:
- Evacuations in Santiago’s subway tunnels and Valparaiso’s tourist hubs
- Collapsed traffic systems and office evacuations nationwide
- Mobile network failures exacerbating public anxiety
Interior Minister Carolina Tohá convened emergency meetings with energy providers, prioritizing service restoration. Social media videos revealed darkened intersections and overcrowded streets, underscoring the scale of disruption in this nation of 19 million.
This blackout marks Chile’s most severe energy failure since 2019, when a grid overload caused partial outages. Analysts suggest extreme weather and aging infrastructure could be factors, though officials maintain silence on root causes. Chile’s energy matrix—dependent on imported fuels and renewable projects—faces renewed scrutiny after this collapse.
