Earthquake hits Chile, 214 dead

[Scout]

First Haiti, now this!

One of the world's most powerful earthquakes in a century battered Chile on Saturday, toppling buildings and triggering tsunamis that ravaged a port town and threatened Pacific coastlines as far away as Japan and Hawaii.



The government said at least 214 people were killed in the 8.8-magnitude quake, which struck at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST), sending people rushing from their beds and onto the streets in fear, hugging each other and crying.



It came in waves and lasted so long. Three minutes is an eternity. We kept worrying that it was getting stronger, like a terrifying Hollywood movie, said Santiago housewife Dolores Cuevas.



It was the fifth-largest earthquake since 1900 and dealt a blow to the economy and infrastructure of the world's No. 1 copper producer and one of Latin America's most developed and stable countries.

Photography: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Massive-earthquake-strikes-Chile/ss/events/wl/022710quakechile

 

[Ashley]

I saw that on the News this afternoon. Very sad stuff in deed.

 

[Nebulous]

This is only the beginning. 2012 is coming!

Just kidding.



That's very sad.

We were on tsunami watch as well in California. I live about 70 miles from the ocean so I dont think any waves would actually hit me. But I was worried for my aunt who lives in San Fransisco who only lives a couple blocks from the water.

 

[Scout]

Edit: Officials say Japan is still on a tsunami watch, and there is a strong threat for something big over there.

 

[Alien]

So sad.

Last time I heard, parts of Australia were on tsunami watch too.

 

[Scout]

You're right Anna. The media went on for weeks about Haiti. Not much talk going on of Chile.