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A massive earthquake of 8.8 magnitude capable of causing tremendous damage struck Chile early Saturday morning at around 3.34 am, shaking the capital for more than one and a half minutes and set off off a tsunami warning.
Many buildings collapsed, telephone connections were discrupted, electricty was down, which made the extent of the damage more difficult to determine.
The earthquake stuck 200 miles southwest of Santiago city, at a depth of 22 miles at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST), the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
Mor than 17 people were reportedly killed when the earthquake struck, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced.
"We have had a huge earthquake," Bachelet said, speaking from an emergency response centre in an appeal for Chileans to remain calm.
"We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately."
Chile Prasident requested people to refrain from travelling in the dark, since the street lights are down, to avoid more casualties. Read More
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