Breaking News: Major Earthquake Strikes Chile
At Least 100 Dead, Thousands Injured
Emergency Response Teams Deployed to Affected Areas
SANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) - A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 3:34 p.m. local time. The epicenter was approximately 325 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of Santiago, the nation's capital, at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles).
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The first wave struck the Chilean coast within minutes of the earthquake, causing widespread damage and flooding. Tsunami waves were also recorded in Japan and Hawaii, but no significant damage was reported.
As of the latest reports, at least 100 people have been confirmed dead, and thousands more have been injured. Emergency response teams have been deployed to the affected areas to provide medical assistance, search for survivors, and assess the extent of the damage. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has declared a state of emergency in the affected regions.
The earthquake is the largest to hit Chile in over 50 years and the fifth largest ever recorded worldwide. The last major earthquake in Chile occurred in 1960, with a magnitude of 9.5. That earthquake caused widespread damage and killed over 1,600 people.
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