On Tuesday afternoon, a major electricity transmission line failure plunged over eight million households in Chile into darkness. The outage interrupted the popular Viña del Mar festival and had a major impact in the capital, Santiago, where the entire underground train system halted. Passengers inside the metro experienced chaos, with one traveler likening their experience to being "sardines in the dark."
Firefighters had to rescue many trapped in elevators, including a woman in her 70s who used her voice and determination to alert help. Social media was flooded with videos showing metro riders illuminating their paths with phone flashlights as they navigated darkened stations.
While evacuation of the underground was completed 90 minutes after the blackout, transportation network struggled to return to normal. Extra buses were deployed, but long lines formed as frustrated commuters sought alternative routes home. Lightless intersections created further traffic turmoil, causing collisions and gridlock.
Many chose to walk, with temperatures soaring around 30°C (86°F). Local businesses were impacted, with cash registers unresponsive and some restaurants offering refuge for overwhelmed pedestrians. At Fantasilandia amusement park, rollercoaster riders remained stuck as attractions stopped until safety was assured.
As twilight settled in, the government declared a state of emergency and enforced a nighttime curfew. Soldiers and police were deployed to maintain order amidst the chaos. Despite the situation, some Chileans took to social media to share beautiful views of the night sky, finding solace in an unexpected silver lining of the blackout.
