An earthquake triggered deadly 25-foot waves this weekend in remote southern Chile, which swept away 10 beachgoers. Three bodies were recovered.
Chile’s government disaster centre Onemi said the three found dead by rescuers were a couple and their grandson. Another seven people were still missing.
The roaring, white-capped water destroyed boats, uprooted trees and overwhelmed beachgoers. Roads in the region split with large cracks down the middle. The quake has been the strongest among hundreds of quakes that have been felt in the area since the end of January.
The 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Chile’s picturesque Aysen region on 21st April panicked local residents and caused power outages and landslides.
The Army has contributed a helicopter to efforts to find these (missing people), according to the Chilean government.
Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet travelled to the south yesterday and although the government did not officially call the event a tsunami, Bachelet referred to it as one when she was talking to area residents.
The quake was centered about 35 miles northwest of the city of Coihaique, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. There was no major damage to buildings.
The length of Chile is prone to earthquakes.
Image