Power restored to most of Puerto Rico after massive New Year's Eve blackout
Power has been restored to more than 98 percent of Puerto Ricans affected by a massive power outage, the US territory's electric utility said on Wednesday. The power company blamed the New Year's Eve blackout on a fault in an underground cable, but investigations are still under way.
Power was restored to most of Puerto Rico Wednesday after a major blackout plunged the island into darkness on New Year's Eve, the US territory's electric utility said.
Electricity supply had been restored to at least 1.44 million customers, or 98.3 percent of those affected, by noon local time (1600 GMT), according to Luma Energy.
The power company said preliminary findings indicated a fault in an underground cable may have been the cause of the outage, although investigations continue.
Puerto Rico, a Spanish-speaking archipelago, came under US control in 1898 and has faced perennial infrastructure issues, exacerbated by devastating hurricanes and a 2020 earthquake.
The utility company said power had been restored to both of the capital San Juan's major airports, key water supply facilities and to at least 31 hospitals.
On Tuesday, Luma said it could take up to 48 hours for full restoration of power to all customers.
(AFP)
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