CPA - The Guardian

Chilean President Sebastián Piñera declared a state of disaster last week in the O’Higgins (central) region, after a 7.2-magnitude aftershock jolted the nation and provoked alarm in the midst of his inauguration.

Seven presidents and other international guests were waiting for Piñera at Parliament, where in the early morning Chile’s new legislators were sworn in. Shortly before the ceremony began, those attending the ceremony felt the first and most powerful of 12 tremors that have shaken central Chile.

In a swift decision motivated by the tsunami alert decreed by Naval authorities and civil defence, the newly sworn-in Chilean president decided to suspend the inaugural lunch, abruptly ending the official activities.

Piñera decided to extend the disaster area to the sixth region of Rancagua (central-south), the epicentre of the latest tremor, and went there to personally observe the damage.

After the morning aftershock, further seismic movements were detected, of 4.9, 5.0 and 5.4-magnitude on the Richter scale, southwest of Santiago de Chile, at depths of 35-43 kilometres.

Since the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked the South American nation, 268 aftershocks have been recorded.

Rancagua, Maule, and Bío Bío are the three regions where the Chilean armed forces have joined with civilian authorities to ensure public order and assistance to earthquake victims.

Granma

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