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Chile Sees Extensive Damage After Earthquake Chile Sees Extensive Damage After Earthquake
(about 2 hours later)
SANTIAGO, Chile — Coastal cities in north central Chile suffered extensive damage from the powerful earthquake that struck the region Wednesday night, according to aerial images released on Thursday by the police. SANTIAGO, Chile — Coastal cities in north-central Chile suffered extensive damage from the powerful earthquake that struck the region Wednesday night, according to aerial images released on Thursday by the police.
The authorities said Thursday afternoon that at least 11 people were known to have died as a result of the magnitude 8.3 quake, which shook the ground for three minutes and was felt in most of the country and beyond. More than one million people were evacuated from coastal regions to escape the tsunami produced by the quake, which was centered a few miles offshore.The authorities said Thursday afternoon that at least 11 people were known to have died as a result of the magnitude 8.3 quake, which shook the ground for three minutes and was felt in most of the country and beyond. More than one million people were evacuated from coastal regions to escape the tsunami produced by the quake, which was centered a few miles offshore.
In Coquimbo, a port 285 miles north of Santiago, fishing vessels and shipping containers could be seen strewn around the evacuated city’s downtown area. Wrecked houses and businesses were visible in images of other affected towns and cities. Significant flooding was also reported in Illapel, the town around 177 miles north of Santiago that was closest to the epicenter. In Coquimbo, a port 285 miles north of Santiago, fishing vessels and shipping containers could be seen strewn around the city’s downtown area. Wrecked houses and businesses were visible in images of other affected seaside towns and cities. Significant flooding was also reported in Illapel, the town around 177 miles north of Santiago that was closest to the epicenter.
Some officials expressed relief that the death toll was not higher, drawing uneasy comparisons to a magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 that left 525 people dead, 81 of them after a tsunami struck with no public warning from the government. Several officials are being prosecuted on charges that they failed to properly assess the tsunami risk, and the government has adopted new security procedures and strengthened its emergency response system.Some officials expressed relief that the death toll was not higher, drawing uneasy comparisons to a magnitude 8.8 earthquake in 2010 that left 525 people dead, 81 of them after a tsunami struck with no public warning from the government. Several officials are being prosecuted on charges that they failed to properly assess the tsunami risk, and the government has adopted new security procedures and strengthened its emergency response system.
In Paihuano, another town in the Coquimbo region, the earthquake on Wednesday “generated a lot of fright,” but was “fortunately not very harmful in this sector,” the mayor, Lorenzo Torres, told reporters. He added that he expected electricity to be restored to residents before Friday.In Paihuano, another town in the Coquimbo region, the earthquake on Wednesday “generated a lot of fright,” but was “fortunately not very harmful in this sector,” the mayor, Lorenzo Torres, told reporters. He added that he expected electricity to be restored to residents before Friday.
President Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday morning that about 100,000 families remained without electricity. She credited the country’s relatively stringent building codes and coastal communities’ swift reaction to the earthquake with saving many lives. President Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday morning that about 100,000 families lacked electricity. She credited the country’s relatively stringent building codes and coastal communities’ swift reaction to the earthquake with saving many lives.
She declared a state of emergency in the Coquimbo region, where 70,000 homes were still without electricity. The region will be under the control of Gen. Schafik Nazal, commander in chief of the Army’s II Motorized Division. She declared a state of emergency in the Coquimbo region, where 70,000 homes were still without power. The region will be under the control of Gen. Schafik Nazal, commander in chief of the Army’s Second Motorized Division.
Even so, some Chileans said that the government needed to do more to build public trust and confidence in its response to earthquakes, which are common in the country. Confusing and contradictory official statements after the 2010 earthquake left many people in the danger zone when the tsunami struck, and four government officials were later charged with involuntary manslaughter. Even so, Some Chileans said that the government needed to do more to build public trust and confidence in its response to earthquakes, which are common in the country. Confusing and contradictory official statements after the 2010 earthquake left many people in the danger zone when the tsunami struck, and four government officials were later charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Ms. Bachelet visited the Coquimbo region on Thursday and said that emergency response teams were assessing the damage. In 2010, critics accused her of being too slow to impose a state of emergency and deploy troops when looting broke out in the disaster zone, but this time there have been no reports of similar disorder. Ms. Bachelet visited the Coquimbo region on Thursday and said that emergency response teams were assessing the damage.
In 2010, critics accused her of being too slow to impose a state of emergency and deploy troops when looting broke out in the disaster zone, but this time there have been no reports of disorder.
“People seek higher ground automatically, because the 2010 quake showed them the government and institutions were not properly prepared,” said Marcelo Lagos, director of the Tsunami Research Laboratory at the Catholic University in Santiago. “After that experience, people no longer believe in the authorities. This is an opportunity for Chile’s institutions and the president herself to validate themselves in front of emergencies.”“People seek higher ground automatically, because the 2010 quake showed them the government and institutions were not properly prepared,” said Marcelo Lagos, director of the Tsunami Research Laboratory at the Catholic University in Santiago. “After that experience, people no longer believe in the authorities. This is an opportunity for Chile’s institutions and the president herself to validate themselves in front of emergencies.”
Others see progress in Chile’s earthquake preparations. “This time the government’s reaction was adequate, and better than in 2010,” said Michel De L’Herbe, an emergency management consultant.Others see progress in Chile’s earthquake preparations. “This time the government’s reaction was adequate, and better than in 2010,” said Michel De L’Herbe, an emergency management consultant.
Still, he said, there was more to do. He said that the national emergency management bureau, known as Onemi, remained weak and needed greater powers. “Communities have reacted well, but this spontaneous reaction must be systematized,” Mr. De L’Herbe said.Still, he said, there was more to do. He said that the national emergency management bureau, known as Onemi, remained weak and needed greater powers. “Communities have reacted well, but this spontaneous reaction must be systematized,” Mr. De L’Herbe said.