Thaindian News

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) — An extremely destructive earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile on early Saturday, seismologists said, possibly killing hundreds of people. Dozens of countries remain under a tsunami warning.

The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.8, was centered about 60 miles north-northwest of Chillan and 200 miles southwest of Santiago, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 21.7 miles at 03.34 a.m. local time.

A tsunami warning was immediately issued for the entire Pacific Ocean, even as far away as Japan, according to the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A tsunami advisory was issued for the U.S. Pacific Coast, according to the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. More details on the tsunami threat can be found below.

The capital, Santiago, was without power and phone lines four hours after the earthquake. Reports say there are several buildings damaged in Greater Santiago. Santiago’s International Airport was closed and many flights were diverted to Mendoza in Argentina.

Chilean emergency services reported at least 78 people dead after the earthquake, but hundreds more are feared dead. Chilean state TV reported many injured. Bachelet said the government is working and trying to restore the communications.

As of 7.15 a.m. EST (12.15 GMT), the following regions were under a tsunami warning:

Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Pitcairn, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Fr. Plynesia, Mexico, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Kermadec Islands, Niue, New Zealand, Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa, Jarvis Islands, Wallis-Futuna, Tokelau, Fiji, Australia, Hawaii, Palmyra Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Howland-Baker, New Caledonia, Johnston Islands, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, Kosrae, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Wake Islands, Chuuk, Russia, Marcus Islands, Indonesia, N. Marianas, Guam, Yap, Belau, Japan, Philippines, Chinese Taipei.

If you are in one of those countries and are near the coast, you are advised to evacuate immediately and go to higher ground.

The massive earthquake was also followed by a series of aftershocks, which may continue for weeks or even months. The strongest aftershock was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, which struck 130 miles of Concepcion around 3.01 a.m. local time.

Other aftershocks had magnitudes of 6.2, 6.0, 5.4, 5.6, 6.0, 5.4, 5.2, 5.5, 6.1, 5.6, 5.0, 5.3, 5.6, 5.1, 5.8, 5.9 and 5.9.

The 2010 Chile earthquake is the second largest quake in the past 20 years, behind the 2004 Indian Ocean 9.1-magnitude quake.