Chile President praises reaction to earthquake

In Chile emergency services have been reacting to an earthquake that struck the central coastal area of the country.

The quake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale had its epicentre in the town of Tirua and struck in the late afternoon.

Officials reported no injuries and no damage and ruled out fears of a tsunami along the pacific coastline. The tremor caused many residents to panic and flee their homes.

“I am super nervous because I was coming in just as the people inside started screaming and the ground was shaking. We came out running. The cars were moving and we didn’t know what to do. We are really, really scared,” explained one local resident.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, after meeting with officials warned the seismic activity would continue and praised the emergency services.

“Chile has been a country that throughout its history has had to confront adversity. Volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and we have to be prepared and I think that the reaction during this medium sized earthquake has been a good one,” he said.

Last February an 8.8 magnitude earthquake caused tsunami waves that devastated coastal towns in the same area as this latest quake killing more than 500 people. Experts believe Sunday’s shocks are a direct result of the movement created by last years massive tremor.

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