On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, a massive power outage affected approximately 99% of Chile, leaving millions without electricity. The blackout began at 3:16 PM local time and extended from Arica in the north to the Los Lagos region in the south, including the capital, Santiago. The disruption was caused by a failure in a 500 kV transmission line between Vallenar and Coquimbo in the Norte Chico region.
In response to the crisis, the government declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM in the affected regions. Approximately 3,000 military personnel were deployed to support police efforts in maintaining public order and safety.
Transportation: Santiago’s metro system was suspended, and non-functional traffic lights caused significant traffic congestion.
The blackout led to widespread disruptions:
Communications: Internet and mobile phone services were interrupted in various parts of the country.
Essential Services: Hospitals, prisons, and government buildings operated on backup generators to maintain critical functions.
Economic Impact: Major copper mines, including Escondida and those operated by Codelco, experienced operational disruptions due to the power loss.
As of late Tuesday night, efforts to restore power were ongoing, with partial success reported in some areas. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the transmission line failure.
