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Two UK couples 'missing' in Chile Scottish couple missing in Chile
(19 minutes later)
Concern is growing for two British couples who are "missing" in Chile following Saturday's earthquake. The families of a Scottish couple who are missing in Chile after Saturday's earthquake have said they are awaiting news from them.
Kirsty Duff from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, and Dave Sandercock from Edinburgh, who are both 25, arrived in the country three weeks ago. Kirsty Duff from Stonehaven, and Dave Sandercock from Edinburgh, who are both 25, arrived in the country three weeks ago.
Their names have been posted as "missing" on a website for Pichilemu. The couple, who are keen surfers, were thought to have been staying at a bed and breakfast in Pichilemu.
Andre Lanyon, from Guernsey, and Laura Hapgood, both 29, have also failed to contact their families. They went to Pichilemu on Friday. Their names have been posted as "missing" on a website for the resort.
Britain's ambassador to Chile, Jon Benjamin, said he had not received any reports of British casualties. Mr Sandercock's sister Ellie has left messages on social networking site Twitter appealing for help.
Mr Sandercock's sister Ellie has posted messages on social networking site Twitter appealing for help.
'Desperate for news'
She wrote: "People are posting on Facebook from there, yet no news from my bro Dave Sandercock. Can anyone help?"She wrote: "People are posting on Facebook from there, yet no news from my bro Dave Sandercock. Can anyone help?"
In another entry she said she was "desperate for news" of the pair. In another entry she said she was "desperate for news" of the pair, who last made contact on Thursday 25 February.
The families of the couple - who are understood to be graduates of Stirling University - have confirmed they are awaiting news from them. Saturday's earthquake has killed more than 700 people
The Surfer's Cottage, an eco-cottage for surfers in Pichilemu, posted details of those who were missing on its website. The families of the couple - who are understood to be graduates of Stirling University - said they had not been given any specific news about them.
As well as the two couples, the list included Tina Cadwallader Lopes who is also British. Details of Mr Sandercock and Miss Duff were posted on the website Google Person Finder, which was set up for families who were concerned about relatives caught up in the earthquake.
The Surfer's Cottage, an eco-cottage for surfers in Pichilemu, also appealed for information about missing people on its website.
The company said the area was not badly damaged but there is no energy and telephones are not working properly.The company said the area was not badly damaged but there is no energy and telephones are not working properly.
Until our team has been able to reach the affected area and complete an early assessment, we are unclear how we will best be able to assist the thousands of people affected by the quake Jeremy LovelessOxfam
UK charity workers were expected to arrive in Chile to help survivors.UK charity workers were expected to arrive in Chile to help survivors.
Staff from Oxfam were due to touch down in the South American country after the magnitude 8.8 quake which has so far killed more than 700 people.Staff from Oxfam were due to touch down in the South American country after the magnitude 8.8 quake which has so far killed more than 700 people.
Troops were sent out on Sunday in a bid to stop people desperate for food and water from looting.Troops were sent out on Sunday in a bid to stop people desperate for food and water from looting.
Severely damaged
About 1.5 million Chileans were affected by the tremors, which caused buildings and roads to collapse and left 500,000 homes severely damaged.About 1.5 million Chileans were affected by the tremors, which caused buildings and roads to collapse and left 500,000 homes severely damaged.
But fears a tsunami would wreak further devastation across the Pacific proved unfounded with waves failing to cause serious problems.But fears a tsunami would wreak further devastation across the Pacific proved unfounded with waves failing to cause serious problems.
President Michelle Bachelet has declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile.President Michelle Bachelet has declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile.
Jeremy Loveless, Oxfam's deputy humanitarian director, said: "Access to the affected area is often difficult during the first 24 hours after an earthquake and it is deeply frustrating that it can take some time to get our staff to where they need to be.Jeremy Loveless, Oxfam's deputy humanitarian director, said: "Access to the affected area is often difficult during the first 24 hours after an earthquake and it is deeply frustrating that it can take some time to get our staff to where they need to be.
"Until our team has been able to reach the affected area and complete an early assessment, we are unclear how we will best be able to assist the thousands of people affected by the quake.""Until our team has been able to reach the affected area and complete an early assessment, we are unclear how we will best be able to assist the thousands of people affected by the quake."
About 65,000 British tourists visit Chile each year, according to the country's tourist authority.About 65,000 British tourists visit Chile each year, according to the country's tourist authority.
Britain's ambassador to Chile, Jon Benjamin, said he had not received any reports of British casualties.