Chile: The National Emergency Office reported that “The death toll rose to 400 ‘
Carmen Fernandez, the director of the National Emergency Office (Onemi) reported that “The death toll that the earthquake that hit the central and southern area of Chile left more than 400 people dead” and added “We estimate that this will continue increasing” indicating that “the death toll will increase as long as the emergency teams have access to more places, the total death toll will be known within 72 hours because it changes minute by minute.”
The Interior Minister Perez Yoma said to the population of the affected regions “to not buy foo or gasoline in an exaggerated way” because “the supply of the products is assured and there won’t be shortage” asserting that “we haven’t got that problem” and that “the main problem that need to be solved is the reparation of the damaged roads in order to normalize the traffic of people and goods.”
The President Michelle Bachelet asked the people to “use moderate use of electricity and gasoline until there is a normal supply again”
Sebastian Piñera, the elected president, said that “Chile has had disasters, we had many earthquakes, but this is the worst we’ve had in the past 30 years” and expressed “full support for the government of Michelle Bachelet” .
The government declared “disaster area” five regions, including Santiago, the capital.
Bachelet said that the number of people who was hit by the earthquake could be of two million people” ” We’re not talking about a state of disaster as a constitutional state. We’re talking of disaster-affected areas” which means “institutional facilities to respond to the crisis, extraordinary powers and extra resources.”
And that “There is a huge amount of damage and the exact size isn’t known yet, which is being evaluated. The National Emergency Office tries to make an initial assessment of the earthquake.”
Mónica Jiménez, Minister of Education, confirmed that “the beginning of the school year was delayed initially for Monday, March 8 between the regions of Valparaiso and the Araucanía.” The measure will be taken if schools are in good conditions to start the year.
The education authority asked the Ministry officials “to not attend work on Monday and Tuesday, because the institutional building in the center of the capital suffered structural damage due to the earthquake.”
President Barack Obama announced Saturday afternoon that “America is ready to assist in rescue and recovery and that resources are positioned to help if the Chilean government needs our help.”
Obama said from the White House “On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the Chilean people.”
The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Organization of American States, whose headquarters are located in Washington, joined Obama’s proposal.
The Secretary of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza, said that “I deeply regret the serious tragedy who beated Chile”
Affirming that “Once again nature is merciless with our country, as has happened many times in our history. However, I am sure that the strength of our people and our institutions will draw us forward.”
And “On behalf of the Organization of American States and all its members, I extend to the Government of Chile and all Chileans a fraternal embrace of solidarity and hope. Chile has our full cooperation if needed”.
The State Department informed the international media that “they had not received yet any requests for assistance from the Chilean government” and that “We are ready to help Chileans, but have not yet received a request.”
He also reported that “Secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton, may cancel the trip to Chile.”
The presidents of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom and Mexico also agreed to help and to offer unconditional support to the people.
At about 8:30 a.m. today the aftershocks caused more landslides, frightening the population because of the impact of the recent earthquake that struck early Saturday morning.
According to recent reports, the quake also affected Mendoza.
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