USGS reports 8.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chile

[Downwinder]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/02/26/international/i231429S81.DTL&tsp=1

[rabs]

1. Bachelet: says 16 dead in Chile

President is speaking on live TV as I write this. Information from some areas not available yet.

Spoke with wife's family in Santiago few minutes ago and they are okay, they said it was very strong.

Live TV here, if it is not swamped ....

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tv-de-chile

[rabs]

2. Tsunami hits Juan Fernandez Island

off the Chilean coast. The island is better known as Robinson Crusoe Island. No word yet on victims.

All flights canceled from and to Santiago International Airport. Incoming flights diverted to Mendoza, Argentina.

Bachelet said damage was "enormous."

[Judi Lynn]

4. Jeez. Thanks for the information. n/t

[rabs]

3. Radio report: 47 dead

Mostly in Maule and Bio Bio regions, both several hundred kilometers south of Santiago.

[Judi Lynn]

5. CNN in Chile reports a 2yr. old 15 story building collapsed completely.

Not known who was in it.

On edit: This was in Concepcion.

[Judi Lynn]

6. At least 78 killed as huge 8.8 quake rocks Chile

At least 78 killed as huge 8.8 quake rocks Chile
Last Updated : 2010-02-27 7:46 AM
AFP

SANTIAGO: A huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early Saturday killing at least 78 people, toppling buildings and triggering a tsunami threatening the Pacific rim of fire, officials said.

The massive quake plunged much of the Chilean capital, Santiago, into darkness as it snapped power lines and severed communications.

AFP journalists spoke of walls and masonry collapsing while people in pyjamas fled onto the streets.

Television images showed destroyed or heavily damaged buildings and debris-strewn streets.

Residents in the south of the city, which appeared to have borne the brunt of the quake, said roads had crumpled and a bridge had been damaged, as an AFP correspondent said buildings "shook like jelly."

Pacific Tsunami warning center issued a "widespread" tsunami warning for all Pacific nations.

A partial evacuation of Easter Island has been ordered in Chile in the face of possible big tidal waves, President Michelle Bachelet announced.

She also said two ships with aid had been dispatched to Robinson Crusoe Island, part of the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, which has been affected by a big tidal wave.

More:
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=At+least+78+killed+as+huge+8.8+quake+rocks+Chile&NewsID=230161

[Judi Lynn]

7. CNN says death toll now at 82. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

8. Panic in Chile streets

Feb 27, 2010
Panic in Chile streets

SANTIAGO - CHILEANS spoke of a night of terror on Saturday after being shaken awake hours before dawn by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 78 people, and triggered a tsunami.

'It was the worst experience of my life,' said 22-year-old Sebastian, standing outside his house in eastern Santiago where residents fled their homes in panic after the quake shook the ground for almost two minutes starting around 3.34 am (0634 GMT, 2.34pm Singapore time).

'Is everybody alright?,' neighbours asked each other amid tears of disbelief at the situation, as families scrambled to make phone calls to their loved ones.

The desperate situation was made worse by immediate power outages after the quake snapped powerlines. Most houses in the capital, some 325 kilometres northeast of the epicenter, appeared relatively undamaged from the outside, but the interior of many buildings showed the evident violent impact with toppled appliances and shaken belongings, and cracks ripping up walls.

More:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_495891.html