Puerto Rico Plunged into Darkness by Massive Blackout; Power May Return in 48 Hours

Dec 31, 2024, 02:17 PM

A massive power outage struck Puerto Rico early on December 31, leaving nearly all of the island's 1.47 million electricity customers without power as they prepared to celebrate New Year's Eve. Luma Energy, the private company overseeing electricity transmission and distribution, reported that initial investigations point to a failure in an underground power line. The outage has also disrupted internet connectivity across the island. Officials estimate that it may take 24 to 48 hours to restore electricity. The blackout highlights ongoing struggles with Puerto Rico's fragile power grid since Hurricane Maria in 2017.