Thousands lost electricity in an Australian power plant explosion

Hundreds of thousands of people lost electricity throughout Queensland, Australia, after the power plant explosion.

Energy companies are currently struggling to restore electricity while local authorities warn of traffic congestion.

According to CS Energy, the fire broke out at a station near the town of Biloela around 13:45 local time (GMT 03:45).

Since then, about 250,000 customers have restored electricity, according to energy providers.

However, according to a previous statement from utility Energex, many are still unpowered and about 375,000 customers were initially affected by the power outage.

Power outages have hit schools, homes and businesses throughout the state. Also, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it had a temporary impact on Brisbane’s airports and traffic lights, and authorities warned drivers to take care of the road.

Queensland paramedics said they had extinguished a “generator turbine fire” and expected it to be a “long-term event.”