The power outage kept much of Puerto Rico in darkness. | Photo: Reuters

San Juan, June 11 (RHC)-- A power outage occurred Thursday afternoon in several areas of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, and other towns in the eastern part of the Caribbean island, after an explosion occurred at the Monacillos Technical Operations Center, an agency of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa).

Other substations in the San Juan metropolitan area also went out of service, such as the San Juan and Palo Seco power plants.  Several witnesses reported that Guaynabo, Carolina, Hato Rey, Old San Juan, Miramar, Río Piedras, Luquillo and Las Pierdras were among the areas that suffered the blackout.

Network users reported smoke coming out of the Electric Power Authority station as a result of the explosion. They also mentioned loud noises and the smell of burning in nearby areas. It was reported that the control panels of the San Juan and Palo Seco power plants were shut down.

Prepa was working Thursday night to repair line 41300 of the Cambalache power plant, which left several towns in northern Puerto Rico without electricity.