Earthquake strikes Chile
AT LEAST eight people have been killed in a powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Chile. Three people died as buildings collapsed and another five were killed when a falling boulder hit their vehicle. In the coastal town of Iquique, hundreds of people ran into the streets fearing collapses and even a tsunami. The earthquake, which lasted nearly a minute, was also felt in neighbouring Bolivia and Peru. Iquique, which is 115 kilometres from the epicentre, and two other coastal towns, Arica and Antofagasta, appeared to have suffered the worst damage. The Chilean government said the region had suffered power cuts. Telephone communication was down and several houses had also collapsed.
