A massive earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale has struck the Chilean coast near the city of Concepcion, killing at least 78 people.
A tsunami warning was issued early this morning for Chile and Peru and a tsunami watch for Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Antarctica was also issued.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet confirmed 78 people were dead and appealed for Chileans to remain calm.
Carmen Fernandez, the head of Chile’s emergency services, said at least 52
people died. President Michelle Bachelet has declared a “state of
catastrophe” in the country.
The quake hit near the town of Maule, 200 miles southwest of Santiago, at a
depth of 22 miles underground.
The epicentre was just 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city,
where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river.
The Meteorological Agency said it was still investigating the likelihood of a tsunami from the magnitude-8.8 quake and did not issue a formal coastal warning.
clipped from www.timesonline.co.uk
clipped from www.washingtonpost.com
