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Pinera sworn in as new quake hits Pinera sworn in as new quake hits
(about 3 hours later)
Sebastian Pinera has been sworn in as president of Chile, minutes after it was hit by the largest aftershock since last month's devastating earthquake.Sebastian Pinera has been sworn in as president of Chile, minutes after it was hit by the largest aftershock since last month's devastating earthquake.
The 6.9-magnitude tremor was centred in O'Higgins Region, some 140km (90 miles) south of the city of Valparaiso, where the inauguration ceremony took place.The 6.9-magnitude tremor was centred in O'Higgins Region, some 140km (90 miles) south of the city of Valparaiso, where the inauguration ceremony took place.
The National Congress building was evacuated shortly afterwards and a tsunami alert was issued. The congress building was evacuated soon after. On taking office, Mr Pinera said: "It's time to get to work."
Mr Pinera's presidency ends two decades of left-wing rule in Chile. His presidency ends two decades of left-wing rule in Chile.
The tycoon not only faces the challenge of reconstruction, but takes over from the highly-popular Michelle Bachelet, who was the country's first woman president. The tycoon not only faces the challenge of reconstruction, but takes over from the highly popular Michelle Bachelet, who was the country's first woman president.
Ms Bachelet left office with an 84% popularity rating despite criticism of her government's response to the 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, which left close to 500 people dead. Ms Bachelet left office with an 84% popularity rating despite criticism of her government's response to February's 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, which left close to 500 people dead.
I'm leaving office with sadness for the suffering of our people, but also with my head held high, satisfied with what we have accomplished Michelle BacheletOutgoing president I'm leaving office with sadness for the suffering of our people, but also with my head held high Michelle BacheletOutgoing president
Earlier, Chile's disaster management chief resigned, six days after the head of the navy's oceanography service was dismissed for failing to provide a clear warning of the tsunami.Earlier, Chile's disaster management chief resigned, six days after the head of the navy's oceanography service was dismissed for failing to provide a clear warning of the tsunami.
A BBC correspondent in the capital, Santiago, says buildings there shook and people rushed out onto the streets after Thursday's tremor, but no damage was reported.A BBC correspondent in the capital, Santiago, says buildings there shook and people rushed out onto the streets after Thursday's tremor, but no damage was reported.
Mr Pinera said there had been "significant damage" in Rancagua, a city almost 100km (62 miles) south of the capital which was close to the epicentre of the largest aftershock, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. A tsunami alert was issued for a long stretch of Chile's coast but was later lifted, except for Easter Island, where it remained in effect.
Shortly after the aftershocks, National Emergency Office warned people in coastal areas along Chile's central coast to seek higher ground in case of a tsunami.
The country's navy lifted the alert a few hours later except for Easter Island, where it remains in effect, Reuters news agency reports.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the aftershocks were too small to cause "a destructive widespread tsunami".The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the aftershocks were too small to cause "a destructive widespread tsunami".
The US Geological Survey initially estimated the largest aftershock's magnitude at 7.2 but later revised it down to 6.9. It was followed by more tremors, the biggest of which had a magnitude of 6.7. Mr Pinera said there had been "significant damage" in Rancagua, a city almost 100km (62 miles) south of the capital, which was close to the main tremor's epicentre, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
The US Geological Survey initially estimated the largest aftershock's magnitude at 7.2, but later revised it down to 6.9. It was followed by more tremors, the biggest of which had a magnitude of 6.7.
'Massive challenge''Massive challenge'
The inauguration ceremony in the port city of Valparaiso, which houses the National Congress, was intended to be an austere affair.The inauguration ceremony in the port city of Valparaiso, which houses the National Congress, was intended to be an austere affair.
The planned dinner was cancelled and the whole event scaled back out of respect for victims of the quake.The planned dinner was cancelled and the whole event scaled back out of respect for victims of the quake.
Ms Bachelet, who was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, handed the red, white and blue presidential sash to Mr Pinera.Ms Bachelet, who was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, handed the red, white and blue presidential sash to Mr Pinera.
"I'm leaving office with sadness for the suffering of our people, but also with my head held high, satisfied with what we have accomplished," she said in her farewell address."I'm leaving office with sadness for the suffering of our people, but also with my head held high, satisfied with what we have accomplished," she said in her farewell address.
The leaders of Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia were among the dignitaries to attend the inauguration.The leaders of Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia were among the dignitaries to attend the inauguration.
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A 7.2 magnitude aftershock has sparked fears of another tsunami.A 7.2 magnitude aftershock has sparked fears of another tsunami.
Seldom can an incoming president have faced such a massive and immediate challenge, says the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago.Seldom can an incoming president have faced such a massive and immediate challenge, says the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago.
Many people have been made homeless by the quake, with about half a million homes destroyed.Many people have been made homeless by the quake, with about half a million homes destroyed.
BBC reader Ian Hutcheon, from San Vicente, 45km south of Rancagua, described Thursday's aftershock as "very severe".BBC reader Ian Hutcheon, from San Vicente, 45km south of Rancagua, described Thursday's aftershock as "very severe".
"I was in a bank when it hit and there was mayhem, panic and chaos," he said."I was in a bank when it hit and there was mayhem, panic and chaos," he said.
"People rushed into the street. I saw some people being helped out of the opposite buildings with blankets over their heads but I am not sure if they were hurt or just being comforted.
"I also saw that some houses that were badly damaged in the big quake have now collapsed."
Billionaire businessmanBillionaire businessman
"We won't be the government of the earthquake, we'll be the government of reconstruction," Mr Pinera said recently."We won't be the government of the earthquake, we'll be the government of reconstruction," Mr Pinera said recently.
Last month, the conservative leader named his cabinet, leaving out any figures linked with the former military ruler, Augusto Pinochet. Last month, Mr Pinera named his cabinet, leaving out any figures linked with the former military ruler, Augusto Pinochet.
In his election campaign, the 60-year-old billionaire said he would focus on boosting economic growth and producing jobs while continuing with the outgoing president's social policies. In his election campaign, the 60-year-old the conservative leader said he would focus on boosting economic growth and producing jobs while continuing with the outgoing president's social policies.
Mr Pinera is one of the country's richest men. He made his fortune introducing credit cards to Chile, then went on to buy a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club, and put millions of dollars into other investments. Mr Pinera is one of the country's richest men.
He made his fortune introducing credit cards to Chile, then went on to buy a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club, and put millions of dollars into other investments.
Are you in Chile? What do you think are the challenges facing Mr Pinera? What should his priorities be? Were you affected by Thursday's aftershock? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Chile? What do you think are the challenges facing Mr Pinera? What should his priorities be? Were you affected by Thursday's aftershock? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions