Earthquake Rocks Chile
Taken from ABC News
CHILE — A strong earthquake measuring 7.7 rocked arid northern Chile sparking panic and triggering a tsunami warning for the region, officials said.
“It is a major quake,” said the director of Chile’s National Emergency Office, Carmen Fernandez.
Authorities say two people have been killed and at least 20 injured. The epicenter of the quake was said to be some 101 kilometers west-north-west of Calama and 1,260 km north of the Chilean capital Santiago.
It was felt as far away as Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, high in the Andes to the north-east.
Officials said one of the hardest hit areas was Tocopilla, 120 km north of coastal mining city Antofagasta.
Television images showed cars crushed under the concrete awning of a hotel in Antofagasta, where power and phone services were knocked out by the quake. Frightened residents stood in the streets.
Just two hours later, a second quake of 5.7 magnitude struck.
Report from Administrative Bishop
In the city of Maria Elena, the epicenter of the quake, the majority of the houses have been affected. Many are sleeping in tents because they fear the aftershocks will finish the houses. This city is located in the desert where the days are very hot and the nights are very cold.
The most affected city is Tocopilla. It is estimated that 40 percent of the houses are totally destroyed. Among those affected, there are two of our leaders who lost everything. Our church building and parsonage in that city were damaged. Both buildings will have to be demolished and rebuilt.
Please pray for us and these cities.
Patricio Ramirez Abarzua
Administrative Bishop
North Chile
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