Millions left in the dark after nationwide blackout in Chile

On February 25, 2025, a catastrophic power outage affected millions across Chile, plunging most of the country into darkness for several hours. The blackout, described as a sweeping disruption, began when a high-voltage transmission line malfunctioned, responsible for transmitting electricity from the Atacama Desert to the capital city, Santiago. The National Electrical Coordinator, which manages Chile's grid, reported that the outage impacted 14 out of 16 regions, including the densely populated Santiago, leaving approximately 90% of the nation's 19 million residents without electricity at some point. The blackout disrupted daily life significantly, stranding commuters and causing traffic lights to fail, resulting in chaotic scenes at intersections. Authorities stated that public transportation, including the subway service, was non-operational until power was restored. In addition to transportation disruptions, essential services were affected; hospitals, prisons, and government facilities relied on backup generators to maintain critical functions. Many people experienced difficulties evacuating buildings due to stalled elevators and lost communication as mobile services also suffered outages. As authorities worked frantically to restore electricity, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá assured the public of their safety and urged calm among citizens. Local governments took emergency measures to direct traffic and evacuate people from dark subway stations. By late evening, President Gabriel Boric announced that half of the affected households began to regain power, and he expressed outrage about the situation, stating that such failures by utility companies significantly impact people's lives. The event raised questions about the stability of the national electrical grid and prompted discussions on accountability. The specifics of the disruption remained under investigation, although officials ruled out cyberattacks or criminal intent as causes. As the situation developed, public fear and frustration grew over the implications of such widespread outages, particularly in a country known for its vast natural resources and generation capacity.