Chile Faces Nationwide Blackout, Prompting Curfew and Deployment of Soldiers

A power outage affecting 98% of households has led to widespread disruptions and safety concerns across the country.

A technical failure in a high-voltage transmission line in the Chico Norte region triggered a cascading shutdown of Chile's power grid, leaving 98% of households without electricity.
The government has imposed a nighttime curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM across affected regions, stretching over 3,000 kilometers from Arica y Parinacota in the north to Los Lagos in the south.
To maintain public order and prevent potential crimes, 3,000 soldiers have been deployed to patrol the streets alongside police forces.
Critical infrastructure, including Santiago's metro system and traffic signals, has been severely impacted, causing transportation disruptions and safety risks in urban areas.
The blackout has also interrupted major events, including the Festival Internacional de la Canción in Viña del Mar, with some performances rescheduled for later dates.