Chile earthquake toll rises to 799
March 4th, 2010 - 12:15 pm ICT by IANSSantiago, March 4 (IANS/EFE) The toll from the earthquake that last weekend devastated areas of central and southern Chile stands at 799, according to the latest figures released by the National Emergency Office, or Onemi.
Most of the fatalities occurred in the coastal region of Maule, where at least 587 people died, Onemi said Wednesday.
In the hard-hit city of Concepcion, 515 km south of Santiago, a curfew remained in force until noon Wednesday.
Imposed after incidents of looting and vandalism, the curfew nevertheless allows the distribution of aid to quake victims and the supplying of businesses, authorities said.
In Maule and Bio Bio, the areas most seriously affected by the magnitude-8.8 temblor, authorities have deployed 10,000 members of the military, according to Onemi. It added that three navy vessels were sailing along the coast of the affected region with 1,200 tons of supplies and 50 military aircraft are operating as an air bridge to transport provisions.
Onemi added that there are now mobile hospitals set up in Talca, Rancagua, Curanliahue and medical attention posts in Constitucion and Chillan.
In addition, a dozen tanker trucks are operating in different towns - having been stationed at strategic spots - to distribute potable water in areas where outside access is more difficult.
Besides government entities, the Red Cross and different non-governmental organisations have begun to collect and distribute aid to the quake victims.
–IANS/EFE
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Tags: air bridge, chile earthquake, chillan, coastal region, curfew, emergency office, government entities, jg, maule, medical attention, military aircraft, mobile hospitals, national emergency, navy vessels, non governmental organisations, quake victims, southern chile, tanker trucks, temblor, vandalism