Chile has declared a state of emergency and an overnight curfew after a major blackout left millions without electricity, paralyzed businesses, and disrupted daily life across the country.

Axar.az reports that a disruption in a high-voltage transmission line caused the power grid to fail, affecting 14 of Chile's 16 regions, including Santiago, where subway service was halted.

Essential services, including hospitals and government buildings, switched to backup generators. Authorities are working to restore power and prevent further crises.

Traffic lights in cities are down, and only 27% are functioning in Santiago. Mobile services and transport are also impacted. The blackout disrupted subway services, causing evacuations in stations, and videos showed chaotic intersections across the country.