1 million flee their homes as powerful killer earthquake rattles Chile

More than 1 million people fled their homes as a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Chile, killing eight and causing flooding in coastal towns. Tens of thousands were left to sleep in the open as the quake, which shook the Earth so strongly that rumbles were felt across South America, flattened their homes. The magnitude-8.3 quake lasted for three minutes, causing buildings to sway in the capital, Santiago, and prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for the country’s Pacific coast. People sought safety in the streets of inland cities, while others along the shore took to their cars to race to higher ground.

I thought it was the end of the world and we were going to die. They said it was a magnitude 8 but it felt like a 10

Survivor Manuel Moya

In the badly hit northern city of Illapel, Manuel Moya, 38, said he and his wife were in bed and watching television when the quake hit. Fearing they would be killed if they remained inside, they ran outside in their underwear. By the end of the shaking, their home, made of concrete, had been reduced to rubble. Officials said 1 million people were forced out of their homes and electrical power was cut off to 240,000 households. Dozens of aftershocks, including one at magnitude-7 and seven at magnitude-6 or above, shook the region. It was the strongest tremor since a magnitude-8.8 quake and tsunami killed hundreds in 2010 and leveled part of the city of Concepcion in south-central Chile.

Once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature

President Michelle Bachelet

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