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| Pleas for calm amid Chile rubble | Pleas for calm amid Chile rubble |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chile's president has appealed for calm in the earthquake-ravaged city of Concepcion, vowing a stern response to any renewal of looting and violence. | Chile's president has appealed for calm in the earthquake-ravaged city of Concepcion, vowing a stern response to any renewal of looting and violence. |
| Michelle Bachelet says 14,000 troops are now in the region, after dozens of people were arrested on Monday. | Michelle Bachelet says 14,000 troops are now in the region, after dozens of people were arrested on Monday. |
| A BBC reporter in Concepcion says police are now posted on street corners in the city centre, but says that aid convoys are yet to reach the needy. | A BBC reporter in Concepcion says police are now posted on street corners in the city centre, but says that aid convoys are yet to reach the needy. |
| The death toll from the 8.8-magnitude quake now stands at 795, officials say. | The death toll from the 8.8-magnitude quake now stands at 795, officials say. |
| Emergency workers also say 19 people are still unaccounted for. | Emergency workers also say 19 people are still unaccounted for. |
| 'Necessary measure' | 'Necessary measure' |
| A special air route is being set up to deliver aid from the capital, Santiago, to Concepcion, 430km (270 miles) away. | A special air route is being set up to deliver aid from the capital, Santiago, to Concepcion, 430km (270 miles) away. |
| When we have a catastrophe of this magnitude... the population... starts losing the sense of public order President-elect Sebastian Pinera href="/2/hi/americas/8546478.stm">Tension in Chile's curfew city class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8546411.stm">Why do people loot? Survivor describes curfew fear In pictures: Security fears | |
| But security in the city remains a key concern after shops and homes were looted on Monday and police made large numbers of arrests. | But security in the city remains a key concern after shops and homes were looted on Monday and police made large numbers of arrests. |
| The deteriorating security situation in Concepcion comes despite the influx of thousands of troops to reinforce local police. | The deteriorating security situation in Concepcion comes despite the influx of thousands of troops to reinforce local police. |
| "We can say that, according what we've been told from the area, the situation in Concepcion is under control today," President Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday. | "We can say that, according what we've been told from the area, the situation in Concepcion is under control today," President Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday. |
| But, she added, authorities would take any "necessary measure" to stop renewed looting. | But, she added, authorities would take any "necessary measure" to stop renewed looting. |
| "Our principle objective is to go and help people tackle the emergency in the disaster zone. | "Our principle objective is to go and help people tackle the emergency in the disaster zone. |
| Detailed map of quake | Detailed map of quake |
| "I want them [looters] to understand this and that they'll receive rigorous legal action. We will not tolerate such actions." | "I want them [looters] to understand this and that they'll receive rigorous legal action. We will not tolerate such actions." |
| Many of the city's 500,000 inhabitants are short of food and have seen their water and electricity supplies cut off. | Many of the city's 500,000 inhabitants are short of food and have seen their water and electricity supplies cut off. |
| Aid agencies have yet to reach Concepcion, reports the BBC's Andy Gallacher, who has reached the city, and many people are still awaiting water, food and mattresses. | Aid agencies have yet to reach Concepcion, reports the BBC's Andy Gallacher, who has reached the city, and many people are still awaiting water, food and mattresses. |
| However, at least two police officers appear to be posted on every corner in the city centre, our correspondent says. | However, at least two police officers appear to be posted on every corner in the city centre, our correspondent says. |
| Some residents quoted by Reuters news agency said they were organising groups to defend their property. | Some residents quoted by Reuters news agency said they were organising groups to defend their property. |
| Coastal destruction | Coastal destruction |
| Reports are also beginning to emerge of the scale of the devastation in other areas. | Reports are also beginning to emerge of the scale of the devastation in other areas. |
| AT THE SCENE Andy Gallacher, BBC News, near Concepcion | AT THE SCENE Andy Gallacher, BBC News, near Concepcion |
| It has taken us about 15 hours of solid driving to get to the outskirts of Concepcion. The main highway is ripped and twisted all the way down from the capital, Santiago. | It has taken us about 15 hours of solid driving to get to the outskirts of Concepcion. The main highway is ripped and twisted all the way down from the capital, Santiago. |
| At a military checkpoint, there are rows and rows of lorries carrying food, fresh water and other emergency supplies. | At a military checkpoint, there are rows and rows of lorries carrying food, fresh water and other emergency supplies. |
| It appears that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in Chile's second city. | It appears that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in Chile's second city. |
| Some of the communities on the coast near here have meanwhile not yet even been heard from. They were first hit by the earthquake, and then swept away by the tsunami. | Some of the communities on the coast near here have meanwhile not yet even been heard from. They were first hit by the earthquake, and then swept away by the tsunami. |
| Up to 90% of the mud-and-wood buildings in the historic centre of Curico had been destroyed or damaged, and a hospital badly damaged, BBC reporters said. | Up to 90% of the mud-and-wood buildings in the historic centre of Curico had been destroyed or damaged, and a hospital badly damaged, BBC reporters said. |
| Some coastal towns and villages were also hit by giant waves after the earthquake, with some reported to have been completely destroyed. | Some coastal towns and villages were also hit by giant waves after the earthquake, with some reported to have been completely destroyed. |
| Reports from the town of Pelluhue suggested that a series of tsunamis swept through what was a tranquil seaside resort, destroying houses and claiming many lives. | Reports from the town of Pelluhue suggested that a series of tsunamis swept through what was a tranquil seaside resort, destroying houses and claiming many lives. |
| The government admits that its attempts to provide aid swiftly have been hampered by damaged roads and power cuts. | The government admits that its attempts to provide aid swiftly have been hampered by damaged roads and power cuts. |
| The air supply route between Santiago and Concepcion will help the authorities send more than 300 tonnes of aid, including 120 tonnes of food, to the worst-affected area of the country. | The air supply route between Santiago and Concepcion will help the authorities send more than 300 tonnes of aid, including 120 tonnes of food, to the worst-affected area of the country. |
| Communication problems | Communication problems |
| International aid has begun arriving. Neighbouring Argentina is flying a field hospital over the Andes to Chile and has pledged half a million litres of much-needed drinking water. | International aid has begun arriving. Neighbouring Argentina is flying a field hospital over the Andes to Chile and has pledged half a million litres of much-needed drinking water. |
| Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flew to Santiago and offered his nation's support, as did US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. | Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flew to Santiago and offered his nation's support, as did US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. |
| Hillary Clinton holds joint conference with Michelle Bachelet | Hillary Clinton holds joint conference with Michelle Bachelet |
| Mrs Clinton took a consignment of satellite phones with her to Santiago after the Chilean government requested communications equipment alongside field hospitals and water purification units. | Mrs Clinton took a consignment of satellite phones with her to Santiago after the Chilean government requested communications equipment alongside field hospitals and water purification units. |
| "We stand ready to help in any way that the government of Chile asks us to," said Mrs Clinton, adding: "The United States will be there to help when others leave. | "We stand ready to help in any way that the government of Chile asks us to," said Mrs Clinton, adding: "The United States will be there to help when others leave. |
| After touring the disaster zone, Chilean President-elect Sebastian Pinera - who takes office on 11 March - said the situation was worse than he had expected. | After touring the disaster zone, Chilean President-elect Sebastian Pinera - who takes office on 11 March - said the situation was worse than he had expected. |
| "When we have a catastrophe of this magnitude, when there is no electricity and no water, the population... starts losing the sense of public order," he said. | "When we have a catastrophe of this magnitude, when there is no electricity and no water, the population... starts losing the sense of public order," he said. |
| About two million Chileans are believed to have been affected by Saturday's earthquake, the seventh most powerful on record and the worst disaster to befall Chile in 50 years. | About two million Chileans are believed to have been affected by Saturday's earthquake, the seventh most powerful on record and the worst disaster to befall Chile in 50 years. |
| AID PLEDGES (in US$) Australia: $4.5mEuropean Union: $3mJapan: $3mChina: $1m | AID PLEDGES (in US$) Australia: $4.5mEuropean Union: $3mJapan: $3mChina: $1m |
| The epicentre of the quake was 115km (70 miles) north-east of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital Santiago. | The epicentre of the quake was 115km (70 miles) north-east of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital Santiago. |
| About 1.5 million homes in Chile have been damaged. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures. | About 1.5 million homes in Chile have been damaged. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures. |
| One US risk assessor, Eqecat, has put the cost of repairing the damage at between $15bn and $30bn (£9.8bn - £19.6bn) or 10-20% of the country's gross domestic product. | One US risk assessor, Eqecat, has put the cost of repairing the damage at between $15bn and $30bn (£9.8bn - £19.6bn) or 10-20% of the country's gross domestic product. |
| Are you in Chile? How are you coping with the aftermath of the earthquake? Send us your comments, pictures and video. | Are you in Chile? How are you coping with the aftermath of 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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