Argentina and Uruguay in the dark

On Sunday, a massive power failure originating in Argentina caused a blackout spanning multiple countries.

All of Argentina and Uruguay were affected, along with parts of Paraguay and Brazil. Argentina exports energy to its three neighbors, enabling the wide reach of the power failure.

The power went out at 7:06 a.m. local time, according to the Uruguayan National Administration of Power Plants and Transmissions. In Argentina, this coincided with citizens preparing to head out and vote in local elections.

In total, some 48 million persons were left without power by the single event.

The effects of the blackout also extended to water distribution, with water companies calling on those without power to conserve water.

By Friday night, officials reported that power had been restored to 80% of Argentinian customers.