Good morning Blogmocracy Netizens! I have some sad news to report today.
A massive earthquake has struck Southern Chile today. As of the time of this writing no information on damage or casualites have been reported. My prayers and hopes go out to the Chilean people. Please post updates on this thread since this is breaking news. Fox has reported collapsed.
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) – An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck southern Chile early Saturday, the U.S. Geological Surveytsunami warning was issued. reported. A
The quake hit 197 miles (317 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Santiago, and at a depth of 36.9 miles (59.4 kilometers) at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST).
Read it all.
Update: There are now reports of tsunami waves hitting Chile and other nations.
Numerous tsunami waves have been reported in the Pacific, with one reaching as high as 7.7 feet in the central Chile coastal town of Talcahuano, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
Hawaii is under a tsunami warning.
Island Libertarian, if you are around, let us know what’s going on out there.
Update II: Here is a recent update on the damage and casualties.
TALCA, Chile – A devastating earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, toppling homes, collapsing bridges and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe.
President-elect Sebastian Pinera said more than 120 people died, but the death toll was rising quickly.
In the town of Talca, just 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the epicenter, Associated Press journalist Roberto Candia said it felt as if a giant had grabbed him and shaken him.
The town’s historic center, filled with buildings of adobe mud and straw, largely collapsed, though most of those were businesses that were not inhabited during the 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST, 0634 GMT) quake. Neighbors pulled at least five people from the rubble while emergency workers, themselves disoriented, asked for information from reporters.
Many roads were destroyed, and electricity, water and phone lines were cut to many areas — meaning there was no word of death or damage from many outlying areas.
Tags: Chile, earthquake
