The earthquake in Chile is that country's strongest in 20 years. It struck on Saturday at approximately 03.30 a.m. local time in an area 115 kilometres north of Concepcion. The magnitude is estimated at 8.8, and the depth, at 55 kilometres. There were two powerful aftershocks, measuring 6.9 and 5.4 on the Richter scale. The known deaths are at 120. There is widespread destruction into the bargain, with roads, bridges, houses and factories lying in ruins and burning. Reports speak about major blazes at Concepcion University and at nearby chemical works. Communications are down, as is the power supply. Many areas are under a state of emergency. President Michelle Bachelet is flying out on a reconnaissance and assessment mission. She says she believes her country's Easter Island is partially inundated by a tsunami and needs immediate evacuation.
In a message to her on Saturday, her Russian colleague Dmitry Medvedev extended condolences and offered help.
Mrs Yelena Chernova speaks for this country's Emergencies Ministry:
The Ministry's international department is in continuous contact with the Russian Embassy in Santiago for updates that can help it organize expeditious relief. Everything will be done in accordance with standing rules. Russia's help will be quick in coming and adequate in scale.
Just six weeks ago, Russian emergency teams joined international efforts to deal with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Haiti. The disaster destroyed Port-au-Prince and left over 220 thousand people dead and about three million homeless and desperately destitute.
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