Earthquake in Chile

Last Saturday morning an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 hit central Chile with devastating effect.  The quake made thousands of people homeless as giant waves triggered by the earthquake swamped the isolated coastal towns.

So far over 700 people have died with the death toll expecting to rise because of the number of missing people.  Aftershocks of 7.5 magnitude continued to hit the country as rescue workers arrived to find entire fishing villages had been washed away.

It is reported that in the town of Constitución, 350 people have died when the earthquake first hit causing a Tsunami.  Surging waves destroyed and swept away anything in its path.  An estimated 500,000 homes were severely damaged by the quake leaving 1 in 8 people homeless.

As fuel, water, and food ran survivors have been forced to scavenge.  The Chilean Military has now taken control of towns and cities that have been affected, imposing curfews and maintaining control.

With many bridges destroyed and much of Route 5, the main North-South highway, a mangled mess, delivery of aid has been difficult, with some areas entirely cut off.

The Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet told reporters: ‘We are facing a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort.’

Chile did not initially ask for foreign assistance but Ms Bachelet later said she would accept some offers of aid.  She said that Chile needed field hospitals, temporary bridges, water purification plants, damage assessment experts and rescuers to relieve those already looking for survivors.

Despite the magnitude of this quake, the devastation has been far less than that of Haiti.  Chile’s history of earthquakes and solid construction has been instrumental in preventing further destruction and deaths.

Due to our ongoing commitments to emergency relief and long-term developments in Haiti, WER is currently monitoring the situation in Chile, however, it is unlikely that WER will be able to offer any assistance due to limited emergency funding and lack of local partners.
 

Picture courtsey of Alertnet.