Chile: Huge earthquake kills hundreds and many missing

Police action proceeds against victims, instead of helping

Below we carry a short report from Socialismo Revolucionario (the Chilean section of the CWI) concerning the devastating earthquake that hit Chile, last weekend. Further reports of the earthquake and its consequences will follow.

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Chile was shaken by an enormous earthquake across its entire national territory. The epicenter of the earthquake was close to Concepción, the second largest city in the country. Road and telephone connections are still not working properly or are completely disrupted. Several ‘sea-quakes’ followed the earthquake and a tsunami, which destroyed many coastal settlements and hit fishing villages particularly hard.

Information is still very incomplete, but it seems that thankfully most people were able to flee onto higher territory and save themselves.

Information is still very incomplete

Many residential properties, in all parts of the country, were badly damaged. Official estimates talk about 1.5 million houses affected. Many regions are still without energy (including electricity) or water. In some areas, people were compelled to open supermarkets to get food and water for them and their families. However, in some cases, instead of ensuring the distribution of food and water, and milk for babies, the police used physical force to prevent people from getting access to much needed resources, in order to protect ‘private property’. This is an unbelievable approach in view of the disaster befallen Chilean people.

Road and telephone connections are still not working properly or are completely disrupted

Socialismo Revolucionario supporters send thanks to the many anxious messages of concern and solidarity that have reached us, so far. Fortunately, from all the information we have so far received from around Chile, Socialismo Revolucionario comrades survived the earthquake (there are regions which, to date, remain cut off).

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