Chilean authorities are reporting that at least 122 people had been killed in an 8.8-point earthquake which also inflicted major damage on the South American country early this morning. As the extent of the damage around the country became more apparent several hours after the quake struck at 3:34 am (0634 GMT) some 90 kilometres north-east of Concepcion, it was feared the toll would go yet higher. Our good friends & fellow Hams David (CE2WZ) and his wife Linda are fortunately both OK.
David tells us:-
”Following the earthquake we´re OK. It was pretty bad here as well. It struck about 4.00 and went on for nearly 2 minutes. We left the house and it was like being in a boat going down the stairs.
The water in the swimming pool was whipped up with waves and racing back and forward. There was a minor aftershock but it is now 8.05 am and electricity has been restored here. It went off all night.
Some people left Serena Golf – we think they were people from Santiago who had been warned of the risk of a tsunami. Fortunately there was no tsunami as the two local radio stations only played music and gave no information.
The water in the swimming pool was whipped up with waves and racing back and forward. There was a minor aftershock but it is now 8.05 am and electricity has been restored here. It went off all night.
Some people left Serena Golf – we think they were people from Santiago who had been warned of the risk of a tsunami. Fortunately there was no tsunami as the two local radio stations only played music and gave no information.
So all is well. Linda has not rung her mother who also lives in Chile but Valdivia is quite far south of the epicentre. Imagine we are 600 miles north of the epicentre and the effect it had here.”
We wish you all good luck in the coming days David & Linda, our thoughts with you all.
73 de Charles….
