Chilean Authorities Investigate Deaths and Robberies During Electricity Blackout

Following a ten-hour nationwide blackout in Chile, one death and an armed robbery have been reported, leading to a curfew. Authorities, including Interior Minister Carolina Tohá, are investigating whether the fatalities are related to the outage, with preliminary investigations indicating some individuals had pre-existing health conditions. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has begun inquiries regarding the death of an individual in Recoleta coinciding with the blackout.

As Chile began to restore its electricity supply on Wednesday, authorities reported a death and an armed robbery that occurred during a nationwide blackout lasting ten hours, which subsequently triggered a curfew. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá mentioned potential fatalities among electro-dependent individuals but clarified that it is yet to be confirmed whether these deaths resulted directly from the power outage.

Minister Tohá emphasized the importance of thorough investigations to ascertain any links between these deaths and the blackout aftermath. Health Minister Ximena Aguilera stated that preliminary information indicated that not all deceased individuals were electro-dependent; two had previous health conditions unrelated to the blackout while the third reportedly relied on electrical support until death.

The Health Ministry concluded that the evidence collected thus far suggests there was no causal relationship between the blackout and the reported deaths. Investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Centro Norte region are underway concerning one deceased individual located in Recoleta, just outside Santiago, whose death coincided with the start of the blackout. Electro-dependent patients require electrical appliances for essential life support, and their well-being is a significant concern amid power outages.

In summary, whilst Chile has started restoring electricity following a significant blackout, details surrounding one death and a robbery are under investigation. The Health Ministry has indicated that not all reported fatalities were directly linked to the power outage. Authorities are continuing to gather information to clarify the circumstances surrounding these incidents.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com