**Massive Power Outage in Chile Leaves Millions Stranded**

A significant electricity failure in Chile has disrupted daily life, plunging millions into darkness and chaos.

More than eight million households across Chile experienced a massive power cut on Tuesday afternoon, triggered by a failure in an electricity transmission line. The outage resulted in widespread darkness and chaos, particularly in the capital city of Santiago, where the entire underground train system was suspended almost instantly, leaving thousands stranded.

One passenger recounted, “We were like sardines in the dark,” as they navigated their way through the pitch-black metro. Emergency services sprang into action to free those trapped in elevators; notably, a woman in her 70s had to wait for firefighters to rescue her from an elevator stuck between two floors. Gratefully, she expressed relief upon her rescue, sharing her determination to remain calm throughout her ordeal.

In the aftermath of the outage, social media platforms were flooded with videos depicting metro passengers utilizing flashlights on their phones to find their way through darkened stations. Although the evacuation of the underground metro was completed within 90 minutes of the blackout, the disruption continued for an extended period, stranding commuters as the 150 extra buses brought in to transport passengers fell short of meeting the massive demand. Santiago’s metro typically serves about 2.3 million passengers daily.

The grid failure also severely hampered local businesses, leading many shops and restaurants to close as they were unable to operate cash registers, card machines, or maintain food refrigeration. Long wait times at crowded bus stops turned into growing frustration, as many passengers attempted to make their way home in sweltering heat, with temperatures soaring to around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Confusion reigned as traffic lights failed, and chaotic road conditions led to accidents, further complicating transportation efforts. Commuters resorted to walking to reach their destinations, as street conditions grew increasingly dire.

A local waitress, Sharon Ortiz, articulated the crisis stating that “the public transport system had collapsed” and described her struggle to reach work two hours late.

At the Fantasilandia amusement park, frantic scenes unfolded as dozens of patrons were left stuck on a rollercoaster. Although backup generators were on site, managers expressed caution about restarting attractions immediately for safety reasons. Hospitals relied on emergency power sources to maintain operations.

As night fell, the government declared a state of emergency, instituting a curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM. Military forces and police were deployed to uphold security as citizens navigated the unexpected challenges. Yet amidst the turmoil, some Chileans found solace in the event, sharing breathtaking photos of the clear night sky on social media as the power cut temporarily diminished light pollution, granting a rare glimpse of the Milky Way.