2014-04-02 13:06:32

Chile quake: president declares natural disaster


(Vatican Radio) Tens of thousands of Chileans were evacuated in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake that measured 8.2 on the Richter scale, and struck roughly 100km off the coast of northern Chile, near the city of Iquique. Chile’s president, Michelle Bachelet, declared the area a disaster zone, and promised soldiers and police reinforcements to help maintain public order while roads were cleared and urgent repairs made.

The U.S. Geological Survey put the temblor at a depth of 20.1 km below the seabed. The quake generated a tsunami that reached the Chilean coast within 45 minutes. The largest wave reported was 2 meters in height. Authorities canceled their tsunami warning for most coastal areas in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Listen: RealAudioMP3







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