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Chile steps up rescue after quake Chile steps up rescue after quake
(about 2 hours later)
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has announced emergency measures to deal with the destruction caused by Saturday's massive earthquake.Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has announced emergency measures to deal with the destruction caused by Saturday's massive earthquake.
The 8.8 magnitude quake - one of the most powerful recorded - devastated central parts of the country, killing more than 700 people.The 8.8 magnitude quake - one of the most powerful recorded - devastated central parts of the country, killing more than 700 people.
Troops are being deployed to help with rescue efforts and prevent looting.Troops are being deployed to help with rescue efforts and prevent looting.
A curfew is in force in some areas. Basic supplies are to be distributed as rescuers reach worst-hit areas.A curfew is in force in some areas. Basic supplies are to be distributed as rescuers reach worst-hit areas.
CHILE TSUNAMI Detailed map: Pacific Japan lifts tsunami alert Eyewitness: 'Nature's fury'CHILE TSUNAMI Detailed map: Pacific Japan lifts tsunami alert Eyewitness: 'Nature's fury'
"We face a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort," Ms Bachelet told reporters on Sunday in the capital, Santiago."We face a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort," Ms Bachelet told reporters on Sunday in the capital, Santiago.
The curfew, which began at 2100 local time (midnight GMT), applies in the region of Maule - where more than 541 are confirmed dead - and in Concepcion, Chile's second city.The curfew, which began at 2100 local time (midnight GMT), applies in the region of Maule - where more than 541 are confirmed dead - and in Concepcion, Chile's second city.
Both areas are being placed under special rules to speed up the delivery of aid.Both areas are being placed under special rules to speed up the delivery of aid.
The army has been sent to support police to prevent unrest in Concepcion, south of Santiago.The army has been sent to support police to prevent unrest in Concepcion, south of Santiago.
The mayor has said food is running out and the situation in the city is getting out of control. Supermarkets and chemists have been looted and thousands of people remain homeless.The mayor has said food is running out and the situation in the city is getting out of control. Supermarkets and chemists have been looted and thousands of people remain homeless.
Sleeping roughSleeping rough
Meanwhile rescue teams are still trying to reach dozens of people believed to be trapped in a collapsed block of flats in Concepcion.Meanwhile rescue teams are still trying to reach dozens of people believed to be trapped in a collapsed block of flats in Concepcion.
Many Chileans are spending a second night outdoors, afraid to stay in damaged homes.Many Chileans are spending a second night outdoors, afraid to stay in damaged homes.
Reports say 350 bodies were found in the devastated fishing village of Constitucion - which was hit by both the quake and the tsunami it set off.Reports say 350 bodies were found in the devastated fishing village of Constitucion - which was hit by both the quake and the tsunami it set off.
In the port of Talcahuano more than 20 boats were swept ashore and dumped in the streets by the waves.In the port of Talcahuano more than 20 boats were swept ashore and dumped in the streets by the waves.
The emergency measures announced by Ms Bachelet also include:The emergency measures announced by Ms Bachelet also include:
  • Air force flights to deliver supplies to affected areas
  • Free distribution of basic goods in Maule and Biobio regions - distribution points are yet to be decided
  • Efforts to guarantee electricity distribution, as many areas remain without power
  • Air force flights to deliver supplies to affected areas
  • Free distribution of basic goods in Maule and Biobio regions - distribution points are yet to be decided
  • Efforts to guarantee electricity distribution, as many areas remain without power
Officials say public transport services are slowly returning to normal. One metro line in Santiago is operating. Roads are passable, although with diversions.Officials say public transport services are slowly returning to normal. One metro line in Santiago is operating. Roads are passable, although with diversions.
The airport in Santiago has reopened. It had been closed because of damage to the terminal and control tower.The airport in Santiago has reopened. It had been closed because of damage to the terminal and control tower.
Aid offeredAid offered
The epicentre of the quake was 115km (70 miles) north-east of Concepcion and 325km south-west of Santiago.The epicentre of the quake was 115km (70 miles) north-east of Concepcion and 325km south-west of Santiago.
CHILE QUAKE - DAY TWO International airport reopensOfficial death toll rises from 300 to more than 700Tens of thousands forced to live outdoors because of damaged homesPolice in Concepcion move to stop looters robbing shopsSurvivors rescued from collapsed Concepcion building, but dozens more unaccounted forLimited services resume on Santiago metro and international airportPacific-wide tsunami alert lifted In pictures: Day two Chileans tell of quake terror Chile well prepared Your pictures: Chile earthquakeCHILE QUAKE - DAY TWO International airport reopensOfficial death toll rises from 300 to more than 700Tens of thousands forced to live outdoors because of damaged homesPolice in Concepcion move to stop looters robbing shopsSurvivors rescued from collapsed Concepcion building, but dozens more unaccounted forLimited services resume on Santiago metro and international airportPacific-wide tsunami alert lifted In pictures: Day two Chileans tell of quake terror Chile well prepared Your pictures: Chile earthquake
About 1.5 million homes have been damaged. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures.About 1.5 million homes have been damaged. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures.
About 90% of the historic centre of the town of Curico was destroyed. Many roads and bridges across the affected area were damaged or destroyed.About 90% of the historic centre of the town of Curico was destroyed. Many roads and bridges across the affected area were damaged or destroyed.
One US risk assessor, Eqecat, put the value of the damage at between $15bn and $30bn (£9.8bn-£19.6bn) or 10-20% of gross domestic product.One US risk assessor, Eqecat, put the value of the damage at between $15bn and $30bn (£9.8bn-£19.6bn) or 10-20% of gross domestic product.
Responsibility for reconstruction will soon pass to President-elect Sebastian Pinera, who takes office in two weeks.Responsibility for reconstruction will soon pass to President-elect Sebastian Pinera, who takes office in two weeks.
"It's going to be a very big task and we're going to need resources," he said."It's going to be a very big task and we're going to need resources," he said.
Chile did not intially request foreign assistance, but Ms Bachelet later said some offers of aid would be accepted. Chile did not initially request foreign assistance, but Ms Bachelet later said some offers of aid would be accepted.
She said Chile needed field hospitals, temporary bridges, water purification plants, damage assessment experts and rescuers to relieve those already working to find survivors.She said Chile needed field hospitals, temporary bridges, water purification plants, damage assessment experts and rescuers to relieve those already working to find survivors.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Sunday lifted its Pacific-wide alert, after fears of high waves failed to materialise in many countries.Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Sunday lifted its Pacific-wide alert, after fears of high waves failed to materialise in many countries.
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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