Millions in the dark in Chile after blackout

SANTIAGO, Chile — A sweeping blackout hit Chile on Tuesday, stranding commuters, knocking out traffic lights, paralyzing countless businesses and leaving millions of people across the South American nation without power.

SANTIAGO, Chile — A sweeping blackout hit Chile on Tuesday, stranding commuters, knocking out traffic lights, paralyzing countless businesses and leaving millions of people across the South American nation without power.

The National Electrical Coordinator, Chile’s grid operator, said a disruption had occurred in a high-voltage transmission line that carries power from the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to the capital of Santiago in the country’s central valley.

It did not say what actually caused the disruption that pushed much of the country’s power grid into shutdown, from the northernmost Chilean port of Arica to the southern Los Lagos agricultural region.

Chile’s national disaster response service, Senapred, reported that a “disruption in the supply of electricity” had provoked a “massive power outage” across 14 of the country’s 16 regions, including Santiago, a city of some 8.4 million people, where authorities said there would be no subway service until further notice.

Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said hospitals, prisons and government buildings were switching on backup generators to keep essential equipment operating.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/millions-dark-chile-blackout-rcna193762

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