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Massive earthquake strikes Chile Massive earthquake strikes Chile
(30 minutes later)
A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 has hit central Chile, killing at least 78 people, ministers say.A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 has hit central Chile, killing at least 78 people, ministers say.
The quake struck at 0634 GMT about 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital, Santiago.The quake struck at 0634 GMT about 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital, Santiago.
President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in affected areas and appealed for calm.President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in affected areas and appealed for calm.
People are moving to higher ground on Easter Island amid fears of a tsunami. Alerts are in place across the Pacific. People moved to higher ground on Easter Island amid fears of a tsunami. Alerts are also in place across the Pacific.
Tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Pacific island nations.Tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Pacific island nations.
Santiago airport has been closed and all flights cancelled until further notice, airline officials say. Flights are being diverted to Mendoza in Argentina. class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8540625.stm">Detailed map of quake
Aftershocks Santiago was among the areas that suffered extensive damage.
A number of buildings collapsed in the capital. A two-level car park was flattened, smashing dozens of cars.
Officials said damage to Santiago international airport's terminal would keep it closed for at least 24 hours. Flights are being diverted to Mendoza in Argentina.
The earthquake is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.The earthquake is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.
Giving details of the latest casualties, President Bachelet said 34 of the deaths were in Maule, 13 in the Santiago municipality, 12 in the O'Higgins region, 10 in Biobio, five in Araucania and four in Valparaiso.Giving details of the latest casualties, President Bachelet said 34 of the deaths were in Maule, 13 in the Santiago municipality, 12 in the O'Higgins region, 10 in Biobio, five in Araucania and four in Valparaiso.
She said these were preliminary figures and could rise.She said these were preliminary figures and could rise.
Aftershocks
President Bachelet said: "People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information [we have] we will share immediately."President Bachelet said: "People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information [we have] we will share immediately."
She said a "wave of large proportion" had affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way.She said a "wave of large proportion" had affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way.
Ms Bachelet said that "high tidal waves" could also reach Easter Island soon.
"Because of that we are evacuating people living in low-lying areas," she said.
Ms Bachelet said if there were more aftershocks, people in coastal areas of Chile should go to higher ground.
POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES Haiti, 12 Jan 2010: About 230,000 people die after shallow 7.0 magnitude quakeSumatra, Indonesia, 26 Dec 2004: 9.2 magnitude. Triggers Asian tsunami that kills nearly 250,000 peopleAlaska, US, 28 March 1964: 9.2 magnitude; 128 people killed. Anchorage badly damagedChile, south of Concepcion, 22 May 1960: 9.5 magnitude. About 1,655 deaths. Tsunami hits Hawaii and JapanKamchatka, NE Russia, 4 Nov 1952: 9.0 magnitude 'Everyone fears aftershocks' In pictures: Chile quake Chile well preparedPOWERFUL EARTHQUAKES Haiti, 12 Jan 2010: About 230,000 people die after shallow 7.0 magnitude quakeSumatra, Indonesia, 26 Dec 2004: 9.2 magnitude. Triggers Asian tsunami that kills nearly 250,000 peopleAlaska, US, 28 March 1964: 9.2 magnitude; 128 people killed. Anchorage badly damagedChile, south of Concepcion, 22 May 1960: 9.5 magnitude. About 1,655 deaths. Tsunami hits Hawaii and JapanKamchatka, NE Russia, 4 Nov 1952: 9.0 magnitude 'Everyone fears aftershocks' In pictures: Chile quake Chile well prepared
Ms Bachelet added that "high tidal waves" could also reach Easter Island soon.
"Because of that we are evacuating people living in low-lying areas," she said.
Ms Bachelet warned that if there were more aftershocks, people in coastal areas of Chile should go to higher ground.
She warned people not to travel on roads in affected areas as a number of bridges were down.She warned people not to travel on roads in affected areas as a number of bridges were down.
Chilean officials said the worst affected town appeared to be Parral, close to the epicentre.Chilean officials said the worst affected town appeared to be Parral, close to the epicentre.
Television pictures showed a major bridge at Concepcion had collapsed into the Biobio river.Television pictures showed a major bridge at Concepcion had collapsed into the Biobio river.
Chilean television said there had been a fire involving chemicals in the town of Colina, 20km north of Santiago, but that it was now under control.Chilean television said there had been a fire involving chemicals in the town of Colina, 20km north of Santiago, but that it was now under control.
Several hospitals have had to be evacuated in a number of areas, including Santiago, because of structural damage.Several hospitals have had to be evacuated in a number of areas, including Santiago, because of structural damage.
One resident of Chillan, 100km from the epicentre, told Chilean television the shaking there lasted about two minutes.One resident of Chillan, 100km from the epicentre, told Chilean television the shaking there lasted about two minutes.
Other residents of Chillan and Curico said communications were down but running water was still available.Other residents of Chillan and Curico said communications were down but running water was still available.
Many of Chile's news websites and radio stations are still not accessible.
Buildings in Santiago were reported to have shaken for between 10 and 30 seconds, with the loss of electricity and communications.
Officials said damage to Santiago international airport's terminal would keep it closed for at least 24 hours.
A number of fatalities were reported in the Santiago municipalityA number of fatalities were reported in the Santiago municipality
Many of Chile's news websites and radio stations are still not accessible.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at a depth of about 35km.The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at a depth of about 35km.
It also recorded eight aftershocks, the largest of 6.9 magnitude at 0801 GMT.It also recorded eight aftershocks, the largest of 6.9 magnitude at 0801 GMT.
The USGS said tsunami effects had been observed at Valparaiso, west of Santiago, with a wave height of 1.69m above normal sea level.The USGS said tsunami effects had been observed at Valparaiso, west of Santiago, with a wave height of 1.69m above normal sea level.
One journalist speaking to Chilean national television from the city of Temuco, 600km south of Santiago, said many people there had left their homes, determined to spend the rest of the night outside. Some people on the streets were in tears.One journalist speaking to Chilean national television from the city of Temuco, 600km south of Santiago, said many people there had left their homes, determined to spend the rest of the night outside. Some people on the streets were in tears.
A university professor in Santiago, Cristian Bonacic, said that this was a massive quake but that the cities seemed to have resisted well. Internet communications were working but not mobile phones.A university professor in Santiago, Cristian Bonacic, said that this was a massive quake but that the cities seemed to have resisted well. Internet communications were working but not mobile phones.
Chile is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on the Pacific "Rim of Fire", on the edge of the Pacific and South American plates.Chile is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it is situated on the Pacific "Rim of Fire", on the edge of the Pacific and South American plates.
Chile suffered the biggest earthquake of the 20th century when a 9.5 magnitude quake struck the city of Valdivia in 1960, killing 1,655 people.Chile suffered the biggest earthquake of the 20th century when a 9.5 magnitude quake struck the city of Valdivia in 1960, killing 1,655 people.
Are you in Chile? Did you experience the earthquake? Send us your comments, pictures and video.Are you in Chile? Did you experience the earthquake? Send us your comments, pictures and video.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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