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The President of Chile has announced a state of emergency following a massive power outage that cast the majority of the nation into darkness on Tuesday, impacting the capital, Santiago.

The blackout occurred during the summer months when temperatures in Santiago reach approximately 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), affecting around 8 million residences, as stated by President Gabriel Boric during a national address on Tuesday evening.

According to the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, the electricity cut impacted 14 of the 16 regions across the country, beginning in the afternoon on Tuesday.

Much of the nation experienced internet and mobile service disruptions, and parts of Santiago’s transportation system were halted, leaving commuters stranded as officials worked to restore power.

By Wednesday, the government reported that 90% of affected homes and businesses had their power restored, according to announcements from the Chilean National Electric Coordinator.

However, Chile’s Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed in a press briefing that 220,000 customers still lacked electricity, despite the restoration of 100% of public transport services, with plans to lift the state of emergency soon.

Tohá mentioned that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the outage, noting, “One aspect is the initial failure that the company experienced, and another is how the system reacts once the incident occurs.”

Earlier, the National Electrical Coordinator, the country’s grid operator, indicated that a high-voltage transmission line carrying electricity from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile to Santiago had suffered a disruption, but the reason for this interruption was not disclosed.

President Boric stated that the purpose of the state of emergency is to “ensure the safety” of the public, as the blackout could extend into the evening. A curfew was implemented from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Boric criticized the electricity companies for the situation, asserting that it is “unacceptable” that millions of citizens would be affected.

“We will not ignore this issue and will take decisive action against companies that have failed to meet expectations. Thorough investigations will be conducted,” he stated.

Minister Tohá confirmed that hospitals, prisons, and government buildings have switched to backup generators to keep essential services operational. Additionally, the national gendarmerie has been deployed to maintain order and facilitate traffic flow.

“Our primary concern, and the reason for this declaration, is to safeguard public well-being. Clearly, this was an unforeseen event,” she remarked.

Daily activities across the nation ground to a halt on Tuesday as the outage interrupted transportation and halted business operations.

In Santiago, the metro services, which cater to around 8 million residents, were suspended indefinitely, leading to the evacuation of passengers, as informed by Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz.

Social media videos depicted numerous passengers being guided by staff in darkness as they exited the metro stations.

Santiago International Airport assured that flights were proceeding as scheduled thanks to emergency backup systems, though LATAM Airlines noted that some flights might face disruptions.

The outage significantly reduced internet connectivity across the country, with watchdog NetBlocks reporting connectivity levels at just 25% of normal operations.

Officials also postponed a soccer match from the national Copa Chile tournament, which will be rescheduled shortly.

Health Minister Ximena Aguilera assured that the healthcare network was fully functional, relying on generators to provide power for several hours.

Beyond Santiago, the blackout also impacted regions including Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Araucanía, Valparaíso, O’Higgins, Maule, Biobío, Los Lagos, Los Ríos, and Ñuble.

This article has been updated with the latest information.