Rescuers Search For Survivors After Chile Quake
Rescuers Search For Survivors After Chile Quake : A woman sitting in front of a house affected by the earthquake in Talca, Chile, and after the earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hit the country, February 27, 2010
Rescue workers are tearing through the rubble looking for survivors in Chile on Sunday, a day after a massive earthquake destroyed the center of the country.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 on the countries of South America on Saturday in the early morning hours. Was followed by more than 100 aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 6.9.
The quake has killed more than 300 people and affected up to 1.5 million homes. The death toll is expected to rise.
Rescue workers worked for up to about 100 people trapped in an apartment building collapsed in Concepcion, the second largest city. The main focus of the rescue operation in the city, about 100 kilometers from the epicenter.
The television footage showed the thieves looted shops in the Conception on Sunday and stole all the food, electronics, and before police intervened.
President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of “catastrophe” in central Chile, where the quake toppled buildings, overturned cars and dropped the power lines and telephone.
Bridges and fell many streets were covered under the rubble. Have been reported by the fire. Many hospitals collapsed.
The President did not request assistance from other countries, but a number of States have offered to send aid.
Speaking on Sunday at the Vatican, the Pope said he prayed for the people of Chile and other populations in the Pacific region tested by the disaster.
The quake had triggered a daunting challenge for the first billionaire Sebastian Pinera, who was elected president of Chile in January. Assuming office within two weeks.
Chile and children who were preparing to return to school on Monday at the end of the summer holiday and have had an extended vacation last week.
In the capital Santiago, officials said at the international airport closed because of damage.
Argentina and other parts of South America also felt the tremors.
Cell phone and communications, while out of the earthquake, many people use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to friends and loved ones.
U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a magnitude 8 or more is classified as a “great earthquake” that can cause serious damage.
The largest earthquake in the same area ever to Chile in 1960. With a magnitude of 9.5 and also set off the tsunami, which have devastating effects in the countries of the Pacific, including Japan, the Philippines, where at least 1,600 people were killed.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
