Storms leave over 61,000 households without power in Chile

China

Storms leave over 61,000 households without power in Chile

2024-08-12 03:20 Last Updated At：17:57

Over 61,000 households in central and southern Chile remain without power after extreme weather damaged local infrastructure over a week ago, according to the government's Friday report.

Chile's government urged power distribution companies to expedite maintenance on Friday morning, demanding that power be restored to 20,000 households within 24 hours.

Earlier this month, central and southern Chile experienced the most destructive winds and rainfall in 30 years, with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. Trees were blown down, and power lines were destroyed.

Compounding the issue, most of the households in the country use traditional power meters, which makes it difficult for power companies to monitor the condition of end users, and for the national emergency response to send maintenance staff in time.

Chile has experienced more frequent extreme weather in the past 20 years. Experts suggest that power lines in the country need to be renewed and buried, and upgrading to smarter power meters can also help to tackle further power cuts.

CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon

2024-09-18 05:10 Last Updated At：07:17

Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.

"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."

In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.

The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.