Follow RT at twitter.com and at www.facebook.com Security footage has been released showing the moments when the 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile. It is now confirmed that at least 147 people have died. Many buildings have collapsed and several areas are without power. A ’state of catastrophe’ has been declared after what was the most destructive quake in fifty years. Countries in the Pacific Rim are on tsunami alert – warning sirens are sounding in Hawaii, while Samoa has evacuated its coast.
Follow RT at twitter.com and at www.facebook.com A massive earthquake and a series of aftershocks have hit Chile, killing at least 17 people. The quake, with a magnitude of 8.8, caused blackouts in parts of the capital, Santiago. Buildings have been reduced to rubble – and phone lines have been brought down. Seismologists say the tremor has caused a tsunami – with three-metre-high waves heading towards Chile’s coast. The most devastating earthquake in the country’s history struck in 1960 – killing more than 1600 people.
Al Jazeera's meteorologist, Steff Gaulter, explains what made the Caribbean nation of Haiti so susceptible to such a devastating earthquake. She says the problems are all due to where the Caribbean plate is situated. 13 Jan 10