Powerful Aftershocks
Hit Central Chile
SANTIAGO - A strong 6.6-magnitude aftershock
struck the Bio bio region in central Chile
Friday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
said.
The USGS earlier reported it was a
6.8-magnitude aftershock. The aftershock,
which struck at 8:47 a.m. (1147 GMT), was
the strongest since last week's deadly
8.8-magnitude megaquake.
The Chilean navy did not issue a tsunami
alert after the aftershock, which took place
offshore about 30 km northwest of
Concepcion, Chile's second largest city.
According to the USGS, Chile has suffered
seven aftershocks above 5-magnitude in the
past 12 hours. Chilean media had reported
two aftershocks that were felt before 10
a.m. (1300 GMT).
The official death toll from last Saturday's
earthquake was unclear after the government
said its previous estimate of 802 deaths
might have included those missing. So far,
279 bodies have been identified by relatives
or state records. The victims' names were
officially published.
Among the confirmed deaths, Constitucion, a
port town in Maule region, central Chile,
was worst hit with 80 deaths. The epicenter
of Saturday's quake was 95 km offshore from
Maule. |
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