A massive power blackout struck most of Chile Sunday night, plunging the capital Santiago and many other cities into darkness.

People sit outside a house during a blackout in Vina del Mar city, about 75 miles (121 km) northwest of Santiago, March 14, 2010. Cities throughout Chile were without power on Sunday evening due to a problem with one of the country's main power grids, according to witnesses and local media. [Xinhua]

Media reports said the blackout might have been caused by problems with a main power grid in central Chile and authorities said they were trying to restore power to parts of Santiago in three to four hours.

The area affected by the power cut includes the southern regions of Maule and Bio Bio, which were hit hardest by the Feb. 27 devastating earthquake in Chile.