Global Weather Phenomenon-Natural/Technological Disasters-Space Events-Epidemic/Biological Hazards-
Nuclear Events :
News Affiliate of Family Survival Protocol.com
Evacuation
under way in Antofagasta, Chile, after an offshore earthquake triggered
a tsunami alert. Photograph: Javiera Mora Araya/EPA
An
earthquake of magnitude 8.2 has jolted northern Chile, triggering a
tsunami alert and the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal
areas. At least five people were killed and more than 300 women escaped
from a coastal prison.
The quake was centred under the Pacific
Ocean 61 miles north-west of the city of Iquique and struck at 8.46pm as
thousands of residents were arriving home from work.
As sirens
blared and emergency warnings urged residents to evacuate by foot to
higher ground, in coastal cities traffic jams ensued as panicked
residents sought to escape the coast. The first tsunami surge measured
2.5 metres (8.2ft) and flooded low-lying areas of Iquique including a
medical clinic and bus terminal.
An
image released by the US Geological Survey shows the location of a
magnitude 8.0 earthquake off the coast of Chile 100km from the city of
Iquique. Photograph: USGS/EPAWhile thousands of
residents sought refuge in the hills, an ad-hoc security force of
police and members of the Chilean armed forces searched Iquique for the
estimated 329 female prisoners thought to have escaped. Initial reports
from Chilean investigative police said 16 prisoners had been
apprehended. Firefighters, meanwhile, battled a huge blaze in central
Iquique and the lack of water and electricity added to a sense of chaos.
In
Santiago, a contingent of special forces police boarded a Hercules
transport plane and were flown north to provide reinforcements and help
prevent looting. In Iquique, police took control of service stations and
provided perimeter security for supermarkets. Government officials said
attempts to loot stores and abandoned homes in Iquique were rebuffed by
police.
A
map by the US Geological Survey shows the location of a magnitude 8.2
earthquake off the coast of Chile, some 100km from the city of Iquique.
Image: USGS/EPA
My colleague Jonathan Franklin has just filed this update on events in Chile:
An
8.2 earthquake jolted Northern Chile killing at least 5 people and
permitting more than 300 female inmates to escape a coastal prison. The
quake, some 60 kilometres northwest of the city of Iquique, hit at
8:46pm as thousands of residents were arriving home from work.
As
air raid sirens blared and emergency warnings urged residents to
evacuate by foot to higher ground, in several coastal cities traffic
jams ensued as panicked residents sought to escape the coast. The first
tsunami surge measured 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and flooded low lying areas
of Iquique including a medical clinic and a bus terminal.
While
thousands of residents sought refuge in the hills, an ad-hoc security
force of police and members of the Chilean Armed Forces searched Iquique
for the estimated 329 female prisoners thought to have escaped in the
aftermath of the earthquake. Initial reports by Chilean investigative
police PDI reported some 16 prisoners had been apprehended. Firefighters
meanwhile battled a huge blaze in central Iquique and the lack of water
and electricity added to a sense of chaos.
More to follow soon.
Updated at 5.41pm AEST
5.10pm AEST
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has indicated in their latest release that a major Tsunami is not expected to strike Hawaii - but it should be stressed the tsunami advisory is still in place:
Based
on all available data a major tsunami is not expected to strike the
state of Hawaii. However...sea level changes and strong currents may
occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as
well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbours and
marinas. The threat may continue for several hours after the initial
wave arrival.
Updated at 5.13pm AEST
5.06pm AEST
The latest update from the United States Geological Survey indicates there have been at least 25 after shocks following the initial 8.2 magnitude quake. The subsequent shocks range from 4.7 to 6.2 magnitude and are scattered in the same region off the Chilean coast.
Data
from the United States Geological Survey shows there have been repeated
aftershocks in Chile. Photograph: /United States Geological Survey
4.39pm AEST
Here's a little background on the state of emergency declared by Chilean president Michelle Bachelet from Jonathan in Chile:
Under
Chilean law the state of emergency provision signed by President
Bachelet allows members of the armed forces to patrol the streets and
assist with law enforcement.
For many Chileans, the sight of
military troops on the streets rekindle ugly memories of the Pinochet
dictatorship in which thousands were killed and many more systematically
tortured by security forces. But because of looting during earlier
national emergencies - notably the 2010 earthquake in Southern Chile
city of Concepcion - Chilean authorities, including socialist president
Michelle Bachelet, are not shy about bolstering public security in
moments of national disaster.
4.36pm AEST
Aftershocks
and further earthquakes are continuing. There have been more than 10
aftershocks since the initial 8.2 magnitude quake.
In the last few hours low and medium sized earthquakes have struck Arica, Parinacota, Tarapaca and Antofagasta.
4.33pm AEST
With the coastal regions of Chile evacuated, tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of people have fled to higher ground.
Tsunami
warning sirens were set off when a magnitude 8.2 earthquake hit at a
depth of approximately 10km off the Pacific coast of the north of Chile.
In videos taken shortly after the alert, people could be seen fleeing
through the streets and climbing to hilltops.
4.14pm AEST
View
of a large fire in the historical center of Iquique, Chile, 01 April
2014, after a 8.2 Richter scale earthquake hit in the Pacific Ocean,
triggering a Tsunami, in the North of Chile. Photograph: ALEX VALDES/EPAAn
elderly person is evacuated from a shelter after a tsunami alarm at
Antofagasta city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April
1, 2014. Photograph: STRINGER/REUTERS
3.59pm AEST
Tsunami warning cancelled for Peru, Chile
The Pacific Tsunami Warning centre has cancelled the tsunami warnings for Peru and Chile.
"Sea
level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," said the statement.
"It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake
epicentre." A tsunami advisory remains in place for Hawaii.
3.56pm AEST
There
have been 11 hospitals evacuated due to floods, but all others are
operating normally, National Director of ONEMI, Ricardo Toro said. The
evacuated hospitals are: Mussels, Chañaral, Guasco, Taltal Toltén,
Corral, Queilén, Achao, Balmaceda, Swans and Puerto Chacabuco.
3.45pm AEST
The Chilean president has declared a state of emergency for Arica and Parinacota and Tarapacá, reports CNN.
There
has been some flooding in the streets of coastal areas, but no damage
from the tsunami waves which reportedly reached more than 2m in some
areas.
3.35pm AEST
Tsunami advisory issued for Hawaii
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for Hawaii.
"Based on all available data, a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii," it said.
"However,
sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that
could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the
shore at beaches and in harbours and marinas."
The first wave generated by the earthquake is expected to reach Hawaii at 3:24 a.m. There is already a tsunami warning in place for Chile and Peru.
3.25pm AEST
Ricardo Toro, head of the ONEMI national emergency services agency, has confirmed to media the entire Chilean coastline has been evacuated.
3.19pm AEST
The
Chilean minister of the interior has confirmed the five deaths to
media. Peñailillo also said 11 coastal hospitals have been evacuated for
fears of tsunami and a planeload of prison guards and riot police is en
route to Iquique.
3.17pm AEST
Omeni
has confirmed some roads have been cut by landslides in Arica,
Tarapaca, San Marcos and by floods in Coquimbo. Drinking water has been
"preemptively" stopped in Arica.
3.12pm AEST
Reports: five dead in earthquake
CNN is reporting five people have been reported dead in the aftermath of the earthquake. Two reported earlier are believed to have died from heart attacks.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hello and thank you for visiting my blog. Please share your thoughts and leave a comment :)