Massive earthquake hits Chile

[Joe McElderry Unofficial]

Joe McElderry Unofficial  > Other Topics Forum > News and Current Affairs Forum > Massive earthquake hits Chile

[Mark]

A massive earthquake has hit central Chile and killed at least 147 people, though the toll is expected to rise.

The 8.8 quake caused widespread damage, destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas, including the capital where a chemical plant caught fire.

Electricity, water and phone lines have been cut. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be affected.

Several Pacific countries were hit by waves higher than usual after a tsunami was set off by the quake.

In French Polynesia waves 6ft (1.8m) high swept ashore, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The earthquake struck at 0634 GMT, 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital Santiago. It is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.

Local journalists in the region of Maule said 85 had died there.

Read more - BBC News - Massive earthquake strikes Chile

[Aliceee]

8.8  that is huge.

[Mark]

Bigger than Haiti!

[PrincessBeccaLovesJoe]

Really?! OMG Whats up with these earthquakes!?

[susiej]

Yet another devastating tragedy - as if Haiti wasn't enough!!  Is global warming responsible I wonder, or are these happenings purely a natural phenomena?  Maybe they have always happened but  we get to hear of them more now whereas we didn't years ago.  After all, modern technology hadn't even been invented until the early 20th century enabling freedom of information worldwide.

[meaghan!]

Thats awful  at 8.8 is huge and sooo soon after the last earthquake too!!
Its bad because soo many people are going to die from it i think aswell people are going to be less 'giving' to this eathquake after helping with the last one, like someone dontating thier own money!! Its sad and with the tsunami warnings to all the toher countries to its going to  make the aftemath is going to be jsut as bad 

[Tacom]

Really devastating...and terrifying with all the tsunami's on their way  

The Haiti quake brought more damage though, because the center of the quake was more at the surface.
I really hope the people of Chile have the strength to come over this catastrophe.

[Jaiden]

Its so sad.. I heard they expect a Tsunami cause of it even going to Hawaii!

[Aliceee]

Yet another devastating tragedy - as if Haiti wasn't enough!!  Is global warming responsible I wonder, or are these happenings purely a natural phenomena?  Maybe they have always happened but  we get to hear of them more now whereas we didn't years ago.  After all, modern technology hadn't even been invented until the early 20th century enabling freedom of information worldwide.

its just a purely a natural phenomena. nothing can be done about it which is a shame, but places like  San Francisco do earthquake proof buildings. to make the damage much less.

[susiej]

Well, of course, most of these places are on a fault-line aren't they therefore disasters are inevitable but I guess we all live in hope of it never happening to us and when it does it therefore becomes one almighty shock for the whole world and the people involved at any given time.  When I think of the tsunami that happened in Thailand it turns me cold to imagine relaxing on a beach enjoying a holiday, or whatever, and then all of a sudden, out of  nowhere a gigantic mountainous wave arises before you.   

[Jaiden]

Yeah it was very weird.. Weve been to Indonesia lotsa times and after the Tsunami everything looked different than before..

[joesahottie]

More earthquakes Its such a shame with all these natural disasters i feel for the people

[Hubz]

It is so sad to hear of yet more tradegy. 

[Lauren]

oh my :|
thats terrible"/

but the buildings are stronger then hati, so not as much damage ;/ x