On February 25th, a massive power blackout plunged the country of Chile into darkness, leading their government to declare a state of emergency According to the U.S. embassy in Chile, 98% of the Chilean population was affected as well as 8 million households. The blackout was caused by an interrupted high-voltage transmission line that carries power from the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to Santiago in the country’s central valley as stated by The National Electrical Coordinator. 

Businesses, homes, and public transportation all came to a halt for several hours due to the blackout, and heat exposure was a threat to many as it happened in the middle of Chilie’s summer when temperatures average 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Phone services were also affected and social media videos were later posted showing the darkness of the city. Backup generators were relied on for hospitals, prisons, and other government buildings and military officials were deployed to control traffic on the roads and intersections. 

Officials acted relatively fast as less than a day later 90% of the homes and businesses in Chile had their power restored according to the Chilean National Electric Coordinator. “We are not going to let this pass and we are going to act firmly against companies that have not risen to the occasion. For this reason, all the necessary investigations will be carried out,” stated Gabrial Boric, a Chilean politician.