Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Slideshow
Video
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
UPDATE 3-Tiny tsunami hits small Japan island - NHK
27 Feb 2010
Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions
12:10am EST
Massive earthquake hits Chile, 214 dead
| Video
27 Feb 2010
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
26 Feb 2010
Buffett: I goofed on Geico credit card
27 Feb 2010
UPDATE 3-Tiny tsunami hits small Japan island - NHK
27 Feb 2010
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
26 Feb 2010
How to decline Facebook friends without offense
27 Feb 2010
For Apple suppliers, loose lips can sink contracts
17 Feb 2010
Tiny tsunami hits small Japan island: report
27 Feb 2010
Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions
Mario Naranjo
CONCEPCION, Chile
Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:37am EST
Factboxes
Factbox: Chile copper mines, oil refineries affected by quake
Sat, Feb 27 2010
Factbox: Chile has history of big earthquakes
Sat, Feb 27 2010
Factbox: Earthquakes and magnitude
Sat, Feb 27 2010
Related Video
Quake damage in Chile.
Sat, Feb 27 2010
Seeking help in Chile
Aftermath in Chile
8.8 quake hits Chile
8.8 magnitude quake hits Chile
<
1 / 29
>
View Full Size
CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Chileans fearful of aftershocks camped outside on Sunday in towns shattered by a massive earthquake, as officials struggled to grasp the scale of the damage to the country's transport, energy and housing infrastructure.
World | Natural Disasters
One of the world's most powerful earthquakes in a century hammered Chile early on Saturday, killing more than 300 people as it toppled buildings and triggered a tsunami that pushed across the Pacific.
While the apparently low death toll could be considered a lucky escape from such a strong temblor, the quake dealt a serious blow to infrastructure in the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies.
A tsunami killed at least four people on Chile's Juan Fernandez islands and caused serious damage to the port town of Talcahuano.
On the other side of the Pacific, Japan's northern coast had tsunami waves of up to 36 inches and officials feared bigger ones could be coming.
Authorities in Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula reported waves of 31 inches but no damage was reported and the tsunami alert was lifted.
Two million people in Chile have been affected by the earthquake, said President Michelle Bachelet, adding that officials were still trying to evaluate the "enormous quantity of damage."
The earthquake has raised a daunting first challenge for billionaire Sebastian Pinera, who was elected Chile's president in January in a shift to the political right and who takes office in two weeks.
DAUNTING TASK AHEAD
"We're preparing ourselves for an additional task, a task that wasn't part of our governing plan: assuming responsibility for rebuilding our country," he told reporters on Saturday.
"It's going to be a very big task and we're going to need resources."
Some economists predicted a deep impact on Chile's economy after the quake damaged its industrial and agricultural sectors in the worst-hit regions, possibly putting pressure on its currency.
Government officials said the copper industry had enough stocks to meet its commitments despite a production shutdown at two major mines due to the quake.
But the government faces the task of helping Chileans rebuild an estimated half a million homes that were severely damaged as well as hundreds of buckled roads and collapsed bridges.
In Concepcion, a city of 670,000 people 70 miles southwest of the quake's epicenter, hundreds of people spent the night outside in tents and make-shift shelters.
The city's old houses made of adobe appeared to have borne the brunt of the damage, but a 15-storey apartment block also collapsed, likely killing or trapping many people inside.
The city was mostly blanketed in darkness, with the only light coming from bonfires and occasional police cars. Crushed cars, downed power lines and shattered glass littered the streets.
Mauri Arancibia, 23, said she was relieved to learn her aunt emerged unscathed after her adobe house collapsed on her. But she said she was shaken by the scenes of destruction in Concepcion.
"I'm really worried, I don't know what to do," she said.
(Additional reporting by Kevin Gray; Writing by Stuart Grudgings; editing by Todd Eastham)
World
Natural Disasters
More from Reuters
Financial reform compromise rebuffed in Senate
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Marathon negotiations in the U.S. Senate on financial regulatory reform were set to continue on Sunday with a renewed focus on financial consumer protections after key Republicans rejected a compromise offer from the banking committee chairman.
Clinton faces Latin America test on Iran
Chile quake halts refineries, copper mines
Cuba says dead hunger striker was common criminal
Security tightened in Bangkok after bank blasts
Tsunami waves hit Russia, no damage reported
» More Top News
Saying "no" to Facebook friends
"Can I be your friend?" is a good ice-breaker for small children, but what do you do with a colleague you hardly know who might be your boss someday? Full Article
What Americans say about "friends"
Facebook status says you're dumped
Accountability urged for Facebook
Lifestyle
Vancouver 2010:
Winter Games come to a close
The Vancouver Games wind down with the final 11 gold medals up for grabs, highlighted by the men's hockey final between U.S. and Canada. Full Coverage
Winter Olympic notebook
Live Coverage: Winter Games chat
2010 winter olympics
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts.com
Buyouts Europe:
Buyouts Conferences:
Venture Capital Journal
EVCJ
International Financing Review
International Securitisation Report
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 28 February 2010 Iran's Mousavi warns over system's legitimacy waning
US winds down Afghan assault but bigger one on way
Tsunami waves hit French Polynesia after Chile quake
|
Britain to investigate passport ordeal in Israel
|
Renewed tension looms in Turkey after military arrests
|
Pakistan suicide attack kills 4, wounds dozens
China says US diplomat to visit for talks on ties
Tsunami hits Chile as Pacific rim braces for impact
Troops clear last pockets of resistance in Marjah
Small blast shatters doors at bank in Bangkok
Tonga moves 50,000 off coast in advance of tsunami
SeaWorld set for 1st show after trainer's death
Iris scans may prevent mistaken release of inmates
Indian PM in Saudi Arabia for talks
Islam seeks a perch in Tajikistan's political life
Abu Sayyaf militants kill 11 in south Philippines
Four killed in Pakistan suicide bombing
Thaksin supporters denounce Thai court verdict
Toyota president to visit China over recall row: report
Woody Harrelson is a changed man after Oscar role
|
Iraq Kurds again likely to be kingmakers post-poll
British banking faces major makeover
Wary Chileans sleep outside; quake affects millions
|
Palm comeback falling short
Security tightened in Bangkok after bank blasts
|
Depressed Blair 'wanted to quit after Iraq war': report
Berlusconi corruption trial adjourned for a month
Iraq Kurds again likely to be kingmakers post-poll
|
Vast iceberg could disrupt ocean currents, weather
US-TECH Summary
Cuba says dead hunger striker was common criminal
|
How to decline Facebook friends without offense
Israel confronts protesters near Jerusalem mosque
|
US group launches text message aid drive for Chile quake
Google launches 'person finder' for Chile quake victims
Tiny tsunami hits small Japan island: report
|
Poll shows Australian government losing lead
|
Online gaming sweeps China
Visitor center opens at NY's African Burial Ground
Thousands still lack power after Northeast storm
Taiwan's Ma apologises over poll setback
Clinton faces Latin America test on Iran
Chile quake looms over Clinton Latin America tour
Souped-up Olympian Wang shakes up track
70,000 evacuated as tsunami reaches Japan
Security tightened in Bangkok after bank blasts
N.Korea may return to talks in March or April
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Grenade attacks damage Thai banks
Australian swimmers ignore tsunami warnings
How to decline Facebook friends without offense
|
Japan warns of tsunami up to 10 feet along coast
Toyota's president to visit China on Monday
S.Korea BOK report: dlr status may fade over time
Toyota president to brief media in China
China top holder in US debt, after all
Marie Osmond's son kills self in jump from building
|
A Prophet triumphs at French film awards
|
Warm winters distress reindeer herders
Peter Gabriel deconstructs music, reconstructs world
Pakistani woman races from rags to riches
S.Africa's small towns hunt for beds for World Cup fans
"A Prophet" triumphs at French film awards
'A Prophet' sweeps Cesar French film awards
In Milan, Armani, Bottega Veneta reaffirm Italian style
Marie Osmond son kills self in jump from building
Bollywood legend wins best actor but boycotts awards
Woody Harrelson is a changed man after Oscar role
Violence flares at Jerusalem holy site
ETA's military chief arrested in France: Spain
Blast kills 11 civilians in southern Afghanistan
|
Death toll mounts as storms lash Europe
Hamas leader drugged, suffocated: Dubai police
Death toll from storms lashing Europe rises to nine
Tsunami waves hit Pacific regions after Chile quake
|
Clashes erupt at Al-Aqsa mosque after stone attack
Italian held by Qaeda makes plea to Berlusconi: SITE
New U.N. watchdog head faces rising tension with Iran
Storm moves into France leaving three dead
New U.N. watchdog head faces rising tension with Iran
|
Yemen arrests 21 in south
|
Storms kill 15 in France, three in Spain
|
Arms and energy on agenda for Medvedev in Paris
|
Violence flares at Jerusalem holy site
|
Turkish PM holds talks with armed forces head: report
|
Emotional orca show marks 1st since trainer killed
Thai PM orders more security after bank blasts
Voting is brisk as Tajikistan picks new parliament
Video of Taliban commander leaves fate unclear
Afghanistan protects newly rediscovered rare bird
Poll setback tests Taiwan's China-friendly leader
Voting brisk as Tajikistan picks new parliament
Thai king leaves hospital for 4 hours
Sectarian clashes kill 7 in NW Pakistan: officials
Japan evacuates 320,000 on tsunami alert
Australian foreign minister to visit India
Despite protectionism, ASEAN eyes single market
PM expects Indian economy to grow 7% in 2010
China walks policy tight-rope ahead of congress
Korea Gas signs major deal in Canada: report
Statue head of King Tut's grandfather found in Luxor
India rail cracks down on rooftop train travellers
New museum takes shape at heart of Nazi terror
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights