A power failure in Brazil left tens of millions of people sitting by candlelight, after the two largest cities were plunged into darkness. Antonio Carlos Castejon took this photo in the Liberdade area of Sao Paulo.
Underground railways and street lamps in Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro were affected. Bruno J�come �sler Janesch took these shots at 2300 local time at his home in Flamengo, Rio De Janeiro.
The issue of power supplies is politically sensitive in Brazil following severe shortages several years ago. Jefferson Ramos took to the streets in Sao Paulo to document what was happening.
No traffic lights or street lights were working, causing traffic to stop or slow to a crawl. David Xavier de Carvalho took this photo of the Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo.
Phil Badiz in Sao Paulo said: "It was a pretty wild trip going through Sao Paulo, which was almost pitch black but for the car lights." Andreia Reis's photograph shows exactly what he means.
The Itaipu dam, which has been blamed for the blackout, provides Brazil with 20% of its electricity. In this view over northern Sao Paulo, Marina Melchers shows that electricity is still working towards the horizon.
In all, nine of Brazil's 27 states were affected before power returned. Antonio Carlos Castejon took this photo in Sao Paulo at 0300 local time to show that the lights were back on in the city.
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